Music, Social Attention, and Dementia

The treatment group will take part in a dyad-based musical rhythm production activity facilitated by a trained musician. This activity will involve two rhythm conditions. The first condition requires tapping along to one pre-recorded audio track composed of an ensemble of Brazilian percussion instruments. The second condition requires tapping along with prerecorded audio tracks of rhythms progressively increasing in difficulty. Participants who indicate proficiency in learning to tap along in both conditions will be able to progress to more complex rhythms. All tapping data will be gathered through a Roland digital hand percussion controller.

Participants randomized to the control condition will complete the same rhythm conditions to the same recorded audio tracks described in the experimental condition. However, they will not interchange their tapping with their caregiver. They will participate in the rhythm task as a solo producer.