Using Music to Rouse Thinking and Emotion for People with Declining Memory

What is it about?

Many people—especially aging people—notice gradual changes in their memory. It may begin with small lapses, such as forgetting names or daily routines, and slowly become more noticeable over time. This work introduces a home-based cognitive training system for people with declining memory, designed to also involve family members. Instead of feeling like a medical tool, the system combines simple cognitive exercises with music, making training feel more natural and part of everyday life. The interaction is intentionally simple and comfortable. Users press physical buttons while following clear visual and musical cues, performing gentle finger movements and short thinking tasks aligned with rhythm. Touch, visual, and sound work together to guide each step, supporting memory, attention, and emotional engagement in a calm way. Built around older adults’ daily habits, the system requires little learning. Most actions rely on pressing physical keys, with rhythm and visual providing clear feedback and motivation. A companion app shows training progress at a glance, allowing family members to stay involved and offer encouragement. Together, the system creates a quiet home-based care loop that weaves cognitive training and emotional support into everyday life.

Featured Image

Photo by Олег Мороз on Unsplash

Photo by Олег Мороз on Unsplash

Why is it important?

By shifting cognitive training from clinics to the home and emphasizing usability, emotional comfort, and family involvement, this study points to a more practical and humane model of care. It demonstrates how thoughtful design can expand access to early support and improve quality of life for patients and their families.