The Effects of Auditory Stimuli on Functional Performance among Cognitively Impaired Elderly

Cognitively impaired elderly residents of a continuing care facility performed three tasks (getting a drink, folding laundry and setting a table) under three different auditory stimulus conditions (silence, conversation and music). Functional performance skills were assessed during execution of these tasks using the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS). Scores for process functional performance skills were significantly better under the conversation and silence conditions than under the music condition, while scores for motor functional performance skills were significantly better under the conversation condition than the music condition. These results suggest that background music may have a detrimental effect on performance and that other forms of auditory stimuli which might be beneficial should be sought.