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thesisdissertation TS for committee clean 8.20.24
Embargoed Access, Embargo ends: 01/23/2027
Thesis
Examining Improvement in Cognition in Older American Indians With Cerebrovascular Disease Using Interactive Metronome Therapy
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2024
Abstract
Cerebrovascular Disease (CBVD) is an emerging issue facing older American Indians. The cognitive sequelae of CBVD have been difficult to reverse in any population. However, one potential treatment for the cognitive consequences of CBVD is Interactive Metronome (IM) therapy. This behavioral, feedback-based intervention employs operant conditioning to engage neuroplastic processes to help rewire damaged brain connections to improve functional connectivity, and therefore, cognitive processes that rely on intermodal processing. The current secondary data analysis seeks to analyze whether a 12-session, 10-week course of IM therapy is associated with a within-subjects improvement in cognition in older American Indians with CBVD and associated cognitive problems. Specifically, I examined if improvement in timing movements with sound stimuli via IM, which is measured in milliseconds from perfect performance, is associated with improvement in cognitive measures. I also examined the degree of association between the number of IM sessions completed (dose) and the degree in improvement in millisecond timing with improvement in cognitive functioning. In accordance with my hypotheses, findings showed participants significantly improved on millisecond timing and on one of the NIH toolbox cognitive tests (i.e., pattern comparison). No improvements were seen on other cognitive tests (i.e., Pattern Comparison Processing Speed, Flanker Inhibitory, Dimensional Change Card Sort, List Sorting Working Memory, and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV [WAIS-IV] Coding subtest) over the course of the study. Additionally, IM dose (i.e., number of sessions attended), but not changes in millisecond timing, was associated with improvement in cognitive functioning over time, as measured by the NIH toolbox measures Pattern Comparison Processing Speed and Dimensional Change Card Sort. Taken together, findings indicate some preliminary evidence that IM is associated with improved cognitive functioning and that increasing exposure to IM may have positive therapeutic effects. Future research is needed to confirm these findings.
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Details
- Title
- Examining Improvement in Cognition in Older American Indians With Cerebrovascular Disease Using Interactive Metronome Therapy
- Creators
- Trevor Matthew Ray Slaney
- Contributors
- Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe (Advisor)Lonnie A Nelson (Committee Member)Susan E Collins (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Psychology
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 50
- Identifiers
- 99901394296301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis