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Rhythm of Connection: Music-Based Intervention to Slow Cognitive Decline in Nigerian Older Adults

Poster Session C - Sunday, March 8, 2026, 5:00 – 7:00 pm PDT, Fairview/Kitsilano Ballroom

Bolanle Otegbayo¹ (); ¹University College Hospital(UCH), Ibadan

Rhythms of Connection: Music-Based Intervention to Slow Cognitive Decline in Older Adults in Nigeria Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) represents a crucial pre-dementia stage where early psycho-social interventions can delay decline and enhance emotional resilience. In Nigeria, culturally grounded and scalable non-pharmacological strategies are limited. Music-based interventions rooted in Afrocentric rhythms offer a low-stigma and emotionally engaging approach to support older adults at risk of dementia. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted across four locations: Chief Tony Anenih Geriatrics Centre, University College Hospital, Ibadan, and Beere, Oje, and Yemetu communities in Oyo State. Sixty older adults with MCI were randomly assigned to an immediate intervention or wait-list control group. The nine-week intervention involved weekly 60-minute sessions combining rhythmic movement, sing-alongs of familiar songs, and structured social engagement. Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy were evaluated using standardized tools (GDS, HADS-A, DRS, ZBI-12). Recruitment and retention were high (≥85%), confirming feasibility. Participants described sessions as “healing,” “bonding,” and “joyful.” Quantitative analysis showed significant improvements in emotional well-being (r = 0.602, p < 0.05), reduced depressive symptoms (r = 0.528, p < 0.05), and enhanced relationship quality (r = 0.541, p < 0.05). Paired t-tests revealed reductions in GDS and HADS-A scores (p < .01), and caregivers reported lower burden and improved harmony (p < .05). An Afrocentric music-based intervention is feasible, culturally acceptable, and demonstrates promising benefits for cognitive, emotional, and relational well-being. Findings support further large-scale RCTs and policy integration of music therapy in dementia prevention across Africa.

Topic Area: EMOTION & SOCIAL: Emotion-cognition interactions