Rhythms of aging: Determining relationships between rhythm perception, learning, and performance

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundMany cognitive abilities change with age including how people experience, learn and perform music. Relatively little is known regarding effects of aging upon older adults’ abilities to perceive, learn, and perform rhythms. This is particularly the case for complex rhythms, defined here as multiple overlapping independent rhythms requiring simultaneous synchronization of neural structures across the brain to process. Knowledge of older adults’ ability to learn and perform complex rhythms may lead to interventions to improve cognitive functioning and quality of life in this population, potentially limiting incidence rates of decline into dementia‐related pathways.MethodThis research is divided into three contingent phases: 1) self‐report survey assessments of audience experiences listening to music; 2) in‐lab experiment; and 3) fMRI measurement of neurobehavioral correlates of rhythm processing in the aging brain. Phase 1 will determine self‐report experiences of pleasure and desire to move to music. Phase 2 will compare younger (ages 18‐35) and older (ages 55‐89) adults’ abilities to learn and perform progressively challenging rhythms. A comparative cohort of Latinx participants will be included to determine similarities and differences in rhythm learning and performance from a cross‐cultural perspective. Phase 3 will involve fMRI measurement to determine neurobehavioral correlates of rhythm processing in the aging brain.ResultThis work is prospective. Phase 1 data have been partially collected and analyzed, confirming the hypothesis that in conjunction, complex rhythms induce both pleasure from and desire to move to music. It is further hypothesized that simple rhythms will elicit less pleasure and desire to move in conjunction, as contrasted to complex rhythms. Phase 2 data collection is projected to begin in March 2021, and Phase 3, September 2021.ConclusionThis research will address intergenerational, cross‐disciplinary, and cross‐cultural questions specific to meanings and uses of rhythm in humans’ lives. The intent is to broaden the ethnomusicological and anthropological discourse particular to the consideration of empiricism as reductionist, by incorporating empirical methods into ethnography‐based approaches addressing such topics. Furthermore, the intent of this research is to broaden awareness within empirically‐based research traditions as to the value of participant observation to enrich meaning‐making from quantitative results.