Smart Taiko-Drum Playing for Older Adults With Cognitive Frailty

Smart Taiko-Drum Playing for Older Adults With Cognitive Frailty for Improving Cognitive and Physical Functions: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study

The objective of this randomised controlled feasibility trial is to evaluate the feasibility of the Smart Taiko Drum-playing intervention embedding the cognitive-motor dual-task training concept for older adults with cognitive frailty, and identify the preliminary efficacy of the intervention on cognitive and physical functions and frailty status.

1. Study design:

   - Randomized Control Trial

2. Participants:

   - Community-dwelling older adults with cognitive frailty

3. Setting:

   - Community centres for seniors

4. Intervention

   • Playing Smart Taiko three times/weeks x 16 weeks for 30 - 45 minutes each session
   • A Smart Taiko Drumming system has been developed for older adults to play the drumming game with their preferred music genres.

5. Waitlist-control group

   - Will receive usual care

6. Health outcomes that will be assessed three times at baseline, during (8th week) and immediate post-intervention (16th week)

   • cognitive functions
   • physical functions
   • mental health
   • physical frailty status
   • body composition

7. Feasibility evaluation

   • recruitment
   • retention
   • satisfactory survey
   • compliance with the survey
   • safety
   • focus group intervention with participants

Inclusion Criteria:

• with cognitive frailty
• without a diagnosis of a neurological or psychiatric condition that could affect cognitive function
• live independently or with partial assistance
• with pre-frailty

Exclusion Criteria:

• with a significant sensory or motor impairment that would preclude participation in the intervention
• are unable to understand or follow instructions due to language or hearing impairment
• have already been in another cognitive or physical intervention programme within the past three months
• are taking medications that could significantly affect cognitive or physical functions
• with any medical condition or treatment that would contraindicate participation in the study.