Cognitive enrichment through art: a randomized controlled trial on the effect of music or visual arts group practice on cognitive and brain development of young children.
C E James, M Tingaud, G Laera...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38575952Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 6Years - 8Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
ID05912270
Orchestra in Class: Evaluating Music and Visual Arts Training for Executive Functions and Brain Development in Young Primary School Children
Led by School of Health Sciences Geneva · Updated on 2023-12-18
150
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
56 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
S
School of Health Sciences Geneva
Lead Sponsor
U
University of Geneva, Switzerland
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating how playing a musical instrument compared to visual arts training and standard education affects brain and cognitive development, particularly executive functions, in young children aged 6 to 8 years. This randomized controlled trial aims to build a detailed, data-driven model of children's brain and executive function growth over two years, using advanced methods like machine learning. It addresses a gap in knowledge about optimal ways to stimulate developing brains through arts education. Children will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: Orchestra in Class (music practice with four different string instruments), Visual Arts lessons, or a control group receiving six cultural outings per year. Both music and visual arts groups receive weekly 1.5-hour sessions led by two professional teachers, along with daily homework lasting 20 to 30 minutes. The control group participates in cultural activities but does not receive structured art training. Interventions continue for two full years during the children's 3rd and 4th years of elementary school. Participants will undergo yearly comprehensive testing of executive functions, musical and drawing skills, academic achievement, and brain imaging including functional MRI with auditory and visual tasks. Researchers will monitor changes in working memory, brain structure, and functional connectivity over two years. The study includes consent procedures for children and parents and considers both behavioral and brain data to evaluate effects of musical and visual arts training compared to standard education.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Orchestra in Class, a Novel Booster for Executive Functions and Brain Development in Young Primary School Children
Who Can Participate
Age: 6Years - 8Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Children in 3rd or 4th year of elementary school (ages 6 to 8 years)
- Right-handedness
- Sufficient mastery of the French language
- Able to give oral informed consent (child)
- Able to give written informed consent (parent)
You will not qualify if you...
- Non-consent by child or parent
- Repeated or skipped a class compared to standard curriculum
- Uncorrected or severe hearing deficits
- Uncorrected or severe vision deficits
- Severe neurodevelopmental disorders such as severe dyslexia or severe ADHD
- Older than 7 years at the start of school year if in 3rd year
- Older than 8 years at the start of school year if in 4th year
- Formal music instrumental practice in the preceding year
- Formal visual arts courses in the preceding year
- Incompatibility with MRI procedures
- Incompatibility with psychometric testing procedures
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
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2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Treatment
Duration - 2 years
Participants receive weekly group lessons of either music practice (Orchestra in Class), visual arts, or cultural outings, with daily homework, over two full years.
Weekly sessions of 1 hour and 30 minutes plus daily homework; annual comprehensive assessments including psychometric testing and brain imaging
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Haute école de santé de Genève HES-SO
Geneva, Switzerland, 1206
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
C
Clara E James, PhD
Y
Yohan Van De Looij, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
3
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