Studying the Ronnie Gardiner Method to Improve Thinking and Emotion Control in Older Psychiatric Patients

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the Ronnie Gardiner Method RGM, a music-based training, in older adults aged 60 and above who are psychiatric inpatients at the Psychiatric Clinic of Alexianen Zorggroep Tienen. The study aims to assess the feasibility and effects of RGM on core executive functions, emotion regulation, and well-being. It also explores how personality types and positive experiences with RGM may influence its effectiveness. No control group is used as all patients receive the treatment. The RGM intervention consists of twice-weekly sessions lasting at least 45 minutes each, over a 12-week period. These sessions are led by trained RGM practitioners who adapt exercises based on participant abilities. The method involves following choreoscores, visual movement sequences paired with vocalized drum sounds, designed to stimulate cognitive and motor skills. Personality assessments are routinely conducted upon admission to study their relationship with RGM outcomes. Participants undergo evaluations before starting RGM, midway at 6 weeks, and after completing 12 weeks. These assessments include questionnaires and neuropsychological tests measuring executive functions, emotion regulation, and mental well-being. Experiences with RGM are also collected through brief questionnaires at mid and post-intervention. The study monitors changes using standardized tools like the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery to understand RGMs impact over time.

The Ronnie Gardiner Method Effectiveness Study