Effect of Musical Training on Reaction Time: A Randomized Control Trial in Thai Elderly Individuals

Authors

  • Supalak Khemthong PhD, OT
  • Udom Pejarasangharn MD
  • Trirat Uptampohtiwat BA
  • Ariya Khamya MS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47513/mmd.v4i1.391

Abstract

Musical training in leisure time has influenced the well-being and health of the elderly individuals, but the Thai elderly people spend more leisure time resting. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a musical training program on reaction times in the Thai elderly individuals. Healthy elderly individuals of both sexes with no musical background were randomly divided into one control group (n 1⁄4 30) and one experimental group (n 1⁄4 30). The control group did not receive the musical training program, but the experimental group received the musical training program for 7 weeks (20 minutes per week). Reaction times of the participants’ dominant index were measured during the first and seventh week. The experimental group had significantly faster visual and auditory reaction times than the control group in the seventh week. The musical training program promoted health accessibility and leisure participation for the Thai elderly individuals by improving their visual and auditory reaction time.

Author Biographies

Supalak Khemthong, PhD, OT

Supalak Khemthong, PhD, OT, is a psychosocial occupational therapist and a chair for Occupational Therapy Division. His areas of expertise include mental health recovery and fatigue and leisure management.

Udom Pejarasangharn, MD

Udom Pejarasangharn, MD, is a psychiatrist and a director for Rakluk Group Co, Ltd. He is interested in mirror neurons, music, and reading for child and family development.

Trirat Uptampohtiwat, BA

Trirat Uptampohtiwat, BA, is a music therapy field consultant for Department of Mental Health. He has created One-to-Five Piano for teaching people with and without mental health problems.

Ariya Khamya, MS

Ariya Khamya, MS, is an occupational therapist and instructor for Occupational Division. He received his master’s degree in industrial psychology.

Issue

Section

Full Length Articles