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Binaural Beats for Cognitive Function in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment in Nursing Homes

This study will evaluate whether binaural beats can improve cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment living in nursing homes. Participants will listen to 10-Hz alpha-frequency binaural beats through headphones once daily for 30 minutes for 14 consecutive days. Cognitive function, sleep quality, anxiety, and depressive symptoms will be assessed before the intervention, after the intervention, and at a 2-week follow-up after the intervention. The study aims to determine whether binaural…

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07735910

PhaseNA

Enrollment60

SponsorChina Medical University, China

Age60 Years

SexALL

I'm interested View official listing

Conditions studied

Mild Cognitive Impairment, Cognitive Function

About this study

Interventions

Behavioral: Binaural Beats Embedded in Old Songs — Participants in the intervention group will listen to old songs embedded with 10-Hz alpha-frequency binaural beats through headphones once daily for 30 minutes for 14 consecutive days. The old songs will be selected according to older adults' music preferences.
Behavioral: Old Songs — Participants in the control group will listen to old songs without binaural beats through headphones once daily for 30 minutes for 14 consecutive days. The old songs will be selected according to older adults' music preferences.

Primary outcomes

Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment Score (Baseline, immediately after the 14-day intervention, and 2 weeks after the intervention)
Change in Digit Span Test Score (Baseline, immediately after the 14-day intervention, and 2 weeks after the intervention)
Change in Stroop Color-Word Test Score (Baseline, immediately after the 14-day intervention, and 2 weeks after the intervention)
Change in Trail Making Test Score (Baseline, immediately after the 14-day intervention, and 2 weeks after the intervention)
Change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Score (Baseline, immediately after the 14-day intervention, and 2 weeks after the intervention)
Change in Geriatric Anxiety Scale Score (Baseline, immediately after the 14-day intervention, and 2 weeks after the intervention)
Change in Geriatric Depression Scale-15 Score (Baseline, immediately after the 14-day intervention, and 2 weeks after the intervention)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 60 years or older. 2. Not previously diagnosed with dementia. 3. Meets the diagnostic criteria for mild cognitive impairment, with Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores adjusted by education level, Mini-Mental State Examination score \>= 24, and Activities of Daily Living score \< 23. 4. Has lived in a nursing home for more than 2 months and plans to continue living there during the study period. 5. No hearing impairment; Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Screening Version score \< 8, and able to hear binaural beats through both ears. 6. Conscious and able to cooperate with questionnaires and scale assessments. 7. Has not taken medications that may affect cognitive function within 3 to 6 months before the intervention. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Severe physical disease, major organ failure, or advanced malignant tumor. 2. Diagnosed depression or other psychiatric disorders. Withdrawal Criteria: 1. Serious adverse events during the study, such as falls, disease recurrence, discomfort caused by the intervention audio, death, or other conditions making continued participation unsuitable. 2. Voluntary withdrawal from the study. Removal Criteria: 1. Incomplete data resulting in missing information. 2. Missing three or more intervention sessions within 2 weeks without following intervention instructions. 3. Receiving other treatments or interventions related to cognitive function during the trial.

Study locations

Jintaiyang Jingguan Elderly Care Apartment, Shenyang, Liaoning 110030 China
Jintaiyang Elderly Care Center, Huanggu Branch, Shenyang, Liaoning 110031 China
Renai Changwan Elderly Care Home, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042 China

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-28.