Health and the Arts
The Institute for Health & Aging's (IHA) Health and the Arts portfolio focuses on the therapeutic potential of artistic creativity and music, aiming to improve health outcomes, particularly for older adults with and without cognitive impairments. Projects in this area include studies on the neural mechanisms of creativity across different art forms, using functional MRI to explore how improvisation affects the brain and assessing music-based interventions for enhancing cognitive function and self-regulation. Additionally, IHA is exploring culturally tailored music therapy for dementia patients and their caregivers. IHA also leads a research network that promotes interdisciplinary studies on the health benefits of music and dance. This portfolio highlights the power of arts in health promotion, offering insights into how creativity can be integrated into health care and aging services.
Projects
AccelNet Implementation Phase 1: Growing Convergent Research to Advance Scientific Understanding and Applications of Coupled Brain Activity, Expressive Movement, and Music
The Movement, Music and BrainHealth AccelNet brings together leaders in science, engineering, and the arts to explore how music and dance promote cognitive function and well-being to accelerate research on brain activity, movement and music by leveraging AI, mobile brain-body imaging and brain-computer interfaces.
Principal Investigator: Julene Johnson
Feasibility and Acceptability Testing of a Culturally Tailored Music Therapy Intervention for Persons Living With Dementia and Their Care Partners
This project customizes music therapy sessions for Chinese American older adults with dementia, incorporating cultural preferences in music, language and storytelling.
- Principal Investigator: Karen Barrett
- Partners: San Francisco Alzheimer's Day Care Resource Centers, University of the Pacific
- Funder: UCSF SoN Research Committee Intramural Grant
Feasibility of Tele-Singing at Home for Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Decline
This study is examining the feasibility of a digital singing-based intervention for older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
Principal Investigators: Linda Chao, Julene Johnson (Co-PI)
Impact of Music Improvisation Training on Brain Function and Cognition among Older Adults
This study aims to develop and test the effects of a music improvisation training program to enhance self-regulation among older adults, evaluating its feasibility, acceptability and impact on cognition.
- Principal Investigator: Julene Johnson
Improvisation Across Art Forms
This project investigates the neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying creativity by examining how different art forms (e.g., music, comedy, visual arts) engage the brain during improvisation.
Learn more about this project: Sound and Music Perception Lab
- Principal Investigators: Charles Limb and Karen Barrett (Co-PIs)
- Partners: California College of the Arts, Former San Francisco Art Institute, Second City, SFJAZZ, Speechless
- Funder: National Endowment for the Arts
Research Network to Accelerate Mechanistic Studies of Music for Dementia
This research network aims to accelerate mechanistic studies of music-based interventions in the context of dementia, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and facilitating pilot projects.
Principal Investigator: Julene Johnson
Sound Health Network
This initiative aims to increase awareness about the impact of music and health.
Principal Investigator: Julene Johnson
Strengthening the Sector: Music and Health Ecosystem
Focused on advancing the field of music and health, this project supports the development of infrastructure and resources to facilitate arts and health research.
Principal Investigator: Julene Johnson
