The effects of an individual music intervention on executive functions in adults with intellectual disabilities

Background: People with intellectual disabilities (ID) often demonstrate impairments in executive functioning (EF). In other clinical populations, music interventions have demonstrated positive effects on EF. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of an individual active music intervention...

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Main Authors: Gerianne J.J. Smeets, Maaike M. Van Rest, Karin M. Volkers, Xavier M.H. Moonen, Erik J.A. Scherder
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Acta Psychologica
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825006699
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author Gerianne J.J. Smeets
Maaike M. Van Rest
Karin M. Volkers
Xavier M.H. Moonen
Erik J.A. Scherder
author_facet Gerianne J.J. Smeets
Maaike M. Van Rest
Karin M. Volkers
Xavier M.H. Moonen
Erik J.A. Scherder
author_sort Gerianne J.J. Smeets
collection DOAJ
description Background: People with intellectual disabilities (ID) often demonstrate impairments in executive functioning (EF). In other clinical populations, music interventions have demonstrated positive effects on EF. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of an individual active music intervention on EF. Method: In this cluster-randomised controlled trial, a music intervention (16 one-hour sessions in 8–10 weeks, n = 44) was compared to care-as-usual (n = 53) at baseline, post-intervention and 8-weeks follow-up. Participants had a mean age of 47 years (SD 15.4) and were diagnosed with mild or moderate ID. Four different EF components were tested: 1) cognitive flexibility, 2) attention, 3) inhibition and 4) working memory. Principal component analyses and multilevel models were applied to evaluate intervention effects. Results: The music intervention showed no significant effect on EF compared to the care-as-usual group. Because the amount of invalid data exceeded the expected dropout rate, additional information is provided about the nature of this invalid data. Conclusion: This individual music intervention did not significantly improve EF in adults with mild or moderate ID. Results need to be interpreted with caution, given the methodological and feasibility challenges encountered.
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spelling doaj-art-e8230bdde5794f4980fa1e02bb2af2aa2025-08-22T04:54:39ZengElsevierActa Psychologica0001-69182025-09-0125910535610.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105356The effects of an individual music intervention on executive functions in adults with intellectual disabilitiesGerianne J.J. Smeets0Maaike M. Van Rest1Karin M. Volkers2Xavier M.H. Moonen3Erik J.A. Scherder4Philadelphia Care Foundation, PO box 1255, 3800 BG Amersfoort, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University Amsterdam, van der Boechorstraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Corresponding author at: Philadelphia Care Foundation, PO box 1255, 3800 BG Amersfoort, the Netherlands.Clinical Child & Family Studies, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the NetherlandsPhiladelphia Care Foundation, PO box 1255, 3800 BG Amersfoort, The NetherlandsResearch Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Postbus 15776, 1001 NG, Amsterdam, the NetherlandsDepartment of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University Amsterdam, van der Boechorstraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsBackground: People with intellectual disabilities (ID) often demonstrate impairments in executive functioning (EF). In other clinical populations, music interventions have demonstrated positive effects on EF. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of an individual active music intervention on EF. Method: In this cluster-randomised controlled trial, a music intervention (16 one-hour sessions in 8–10 weeks, n = 44) was compared to care-as-usual (n = 53) at baseline, post-intervention and 8-weeks follow-up. Participants had a mean age of 47 years (SD 15.4) and were diagnosed with mild or moderate ID. Four different EF components were tested: 1) cognitive flexibility, 2) attention, 3) inhibition and 4) working memory. Principal component analyses and multilevel models were applied to evaluate intervention effects. Results: The music intervention showed no significant effect on EF compared to the care-as-usual group. Because the amount of invalid data exceeded the expected dropout rate, additional information is provided about the nature of this invalid data. Conclusion: This individual music intervention did not significantly improve EF in adults with mild or moderate ID. Results need to be interpreted with caution, given the methodological and feasibility challenges encountered.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825006699Intellectual disabilityExecutive functioningMusic interventionRandomised controlled trial
spellingShingle Gerianne J.J. Smeets
Maaike M. Van Rest
Karin M. Volkers
Xavier M.H. Moonen
Erik J.A. Scherder
The effects of an individual music intervention on executive functions in adults with intellectual disabilities
Acta Psychologica
Intellectual disability
Executive functioning
Music intervention
Randomised controlled trial
title The effects of an individual music intervention on executive functions in adults with intellectual disabilities
title_full The effects of an individual music intervention on executive functions in adults with intellectual disabilities
title_fullStr The effects of an individual music intervention on executive functions in adults with intellectual disabilities
title_full_unstemmed The effects of an individual music intervention on executive functions in adults with intellectual disabilities
title_short The effects of an individual music intervention on executive functions in adults with intellectual disabilities
title_sort effects of an individual music intervention on executive functions in adults with intellectual disabilities
topic Intellectual disability
Executive functioning
Music intervention
Randomised controlled trial
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825006699
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