The impact of age-related cognitive decline on beat perception in music
Résumé
Research on the impact of neurocognitive disorders on rhythmic abilities has yielded mixed results. Additionally, rhythm perception without production has not yet been evaluated. In this study, eighty-seven patients (mean age = 81) participated and underwent an evaluation of beat perception and sensorimotor synchronisation with three levels of beat saliency (BS) (metronome; high-BS music; low-BS music). We hypothesised that beat perception and production would be influenced by cognitive status, and that in the tapping task, this might depend on beat saliency. Synchronisation was most consistent with a metronome, followed by high-BS music, and low-BS music (p < .001). Consistency decreased with lower mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores, particularly with low-BS music (p < .001). Lower MMSE scores predicted beat perception deficits (p < .05). Finally, individuals with lower MMSE tended to have slower spontaneous tempo (p < .05). Performance on an inhibition task was negatively associated with synchronisation consistency for both types of music (p < .05). In summary, synchronisation with an auditory signal with a clear beat was the only task not dependent on cognitive status, whereas all other perception and production tasks were dependent on MMSE scores.