P1-465: the music cognitive test: a new music-based cognitive test

Music-therapy (MT) and music interventions are widley used treatments to improve cognitive functions and neuropsychiatric symptoms1,2. Research has shown that the music domain is less affected by cognitive decline than other domains3,4 . This has implications for MT practices and for the role of music therapists (MTs) working in theis field. MT requires appropriate assessment, especially in the early stages of cognitive decline, to optimize the intervention. However, the lack of a quantitative approach limits the MTs's ability to understand which specific cognitive functions are impaired, to suitably adapt their intervention and monitor its effects, and to easily communicate with other healthcare professionals5. Furthermore, most of the cognitive tests available to MTs are seriously limited: they are psychometrically unstable, based on small samples, present unrefined tasks and scoring protocols, or their administration requires different musical instruments (maracas, drums, etc.), making their applicability difficult in everyday practice6. This study presents the first results of the ongoing validation of a novel cognitive test: The Music Cognitive Test (MCT), which aims to provide a music-based tool allowing MTs to evaluate and monitor their clients with cognitive decline. MCT includes 16-items testing memory, attention etc. using musical tasks. It is administered individually using a xylophone. MCT is presently undergoing full validation with a large multicultural sample in the UK and Italy, aged 18-90+ yrs and with a variety of backgrounds and cognitive reserve levels7. Results presented here concern a first sample of n=150+ individuals. Convergent concurrent validity was tested using MMSE8, SMMSE9. The first results showed high concurrent validity and test-retest reliability, with significant Pearson correlations for both MCT/MMSE (r=.861;p3.0.CO;2-V [9] Harrell et al.2000 https://doi.org/10.1097/00002093-200007000-00008.