NCT05507905 · ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Effects of Dance and Music Appreciation on Brain Health and Fitness in People at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
This trial is testing whether dance classes or music appreciation sessions help protect memory and cardiovascular fitness in older adults worried about memory loss. Researchers want to find the sweet spot — one, two, or three classes per week — that does the most good. It is a Phase NA study, meaning it is a behavioral intervention trial focused on finding the right dose, not a drug being evaluated for approval.
You may qualify if
- Cognitive Change Index score ≥16
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score ≥21
- Cognitively normal
- Low-active for past 6 months (\<30 min, 3 days/week of exercise, including walking for exercise)
- MRI compatible
- Willing and able to complete exercise testing.
- Has reliable transportation or is able to use transportation provided by the study.
- English speaking (needed for group class participation)
You're excluded if
- Unable or unwilling to attend intervention classes 1-3x/week
- Current diagnosis of a major neurological disorder (Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, Frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, etc.)
- Unwilling or unable to provide consent for study participation.
- Currently symptomatic or cortical stroke or stroke deemed exclusionary by the study physician. Reported or observed evidence of strokes on MRI will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the study physician to assess factors such as location, size, time since stroke, and residual symptoms.
- Taking medication during the intervention times that could negatively influence safety
- Current cancer treatment or other major medical problems that might independently affect cognition or movement or interfere with ability to attend intervention or study visits.
- Chronic vertigo.
- Enrolled in another interventional research study ≤3 months prior to beginning this study.
- Hip fracture, hip or knee replacement, or spinal surgery in past 6 months.
- Health contraindications for completing a graded exercise test and movement intervention, including uncontrolled hypertension (BP>200/110 mmHg), hypertriglyceridemia (TG>400 mg/dl), uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c > 7.5), clinical evidence of anemia.
- Self-reports regularly drinking > 14 alcoholic beverages a week or current illicit drug use.
- Unable or unwilling to understand study procedures and comply with them for the duration of the study.
The sponsor's own eligibility wording, lightly reformatted. The study team makes the final eligibility decision — worth discussing with your doctor.
Eligibility criteria as of 2026-03-17