# The feasibility of a tailored music intervention to reduce symptoms of sleep disruption in older adults with dementia

> **NIH NIH F32** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2020 · $63,884

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Sleep disruption in older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) is very
debilitating and contributes to increased institutionalization, reduced cognitive function, and accelerated
disease progression. Furthermore, sleep disruption is linked to poor health outcomes in caregivers (CGs), such
as poor quality of life and increased CG burden. Given the potential harmful side effects of pharmacologic
treatment, non-pharmacologic approaches, such as music, may provide a safer alternative to reducing sleep
disruption in this vulnerable population. Listening to music has been shown to decrease agitation, anxiety and
depression in nursing home residents with ADRD. A growing body of literature suggests that individualized
music may improve sleep quality in older adults with early memory loss, but its efficacy has not been
demonstrated in older adults with ADRD in the community, where most older adults with ADRD live. If proven
feasible and acceptable, tailored music interventions can then be tested for efficacy in reducing sleep
disruption. The purpose of this individual National Research Service Award (NRSA) application is to provide
post-doctoral research training for a candidate to gain the knowledge and skills essential for an independent
research career. In a cross-sectional dissertation study (funded by NIA F31AG055148) the applicant has
previously examined cognitive abilities associated with engagement in music activities and music-related
behaviors in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. The applicant’s long-term career objective is to
address sleep disruption in older adults with ADRD using palliative non-pharmacologic approaches. The
specific aims of this proposal are to examine the 1) feasibility; 2) acceptability; and 3) preliminary efficacy of a
tailored music intervention in home-dwelling older adults with ADRD suffering from sleep disruption. Sixty
dyads (older adults with ADRD and their CGs) will be randomized to receive the tailored music intervention
immediately or following a four week delay. Music selections will be individualized to older adults with ADRD
and account for known sleep-inducing properties. Feasibility of processes that are key to the success of the
subsequent study will be examined. Preliminary efficacy of the intervention will be assessed using objective
(actigraphy) and subjective (proxy reported) sleep quality measures. In addition, qualitative data will be
solicited from the dyads examining the acceptability and satisfaction with the intervention. Under the guidance
of the mentoring team, the applicant has carefully selected research training activities to gain knowledge and
expertise in five core areas: 1) behavioral intervention research, 2) clinical trial methodology; 3) sleep
assessment measures in older adults; 4) advanced statistical methods pertaining to the analysis of clinical
trials; and 5) novel remote monitoring applications. Results from the proposed r...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9920074
- **Project number:** 5F32AG060630-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Darina V. Petrovsky
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $63,884
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-06-11 → 2021-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9920074

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9920074, The feasibility of a tailored music intervention to reduce symptoms of sleep disruption in older adults with dementia (5F32AG060630-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9920074. Licensed CC0.

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