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Music-4-MS to Improve Cognition in People Living with Multiple Sclerosis: A Feasibility Study

Award Number: R21NR022143
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NURSING RESEARCH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/23/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/29/2028

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Music-4-MS to Improve Cognition in People Living with Multiple Sclerosis: A Feasibility Study - Project Abstract Over the past 10 years, the rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) have nearly doubled in the United States. This chronic, neuroinflammatory, and neurodegenerative disease is most often diagnosed between the ages of 20-40. In many countries, it is the main cause of nontraumatic disability in young adults. Cognitive impairment affects up to 70% of those with MS, in whom the incidence of early onset dementia is 7 times higher than it is in adults without MS. Cognitive- based rehabilitation, however, can improve memory and learning as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety, which may reinforce cognition. Traditional approaches to cognitive rehabilitation use restorative (drill and practice) and compensatory (management) strategies. Yet most cognitive interventions for persons with MS are predominantly visual or speech focused, which eliminates the possibility of stimulating multiple senses. Playing a musical instrument provides multisensory stimulation and feedback to enhance neuroplasticity in the learning process making it superior to traditional cognitive rehabilitation strategies. Music training is a multimodal activity that involves coordinating of sensory and motor sequences with planned actions that require higher cognitive resources. Music training has been associated with frontal lobe function and higher visuospatial, working memory and executive function performance across the life span. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of Music-4-MS, a 12-week music-based, eHealth intervention. The specific aims are to 1) determine the feasibility and acceptability of delivering the Music-4-MS eHealth intervention among individuals with MS over 12 weeks; 2) evaluate the preliminary effect of Music-4-MS on cognitive (objective performance, subjective function), psychosocial (anxiety, depression, social function), and functional (physical function, fatigue, hand dexterity) well-being over time compared to an active control group; and 3) explore participants’ perceptions of the motivation, engagement, connection, and usefulness of Music-4-MS in their daily lives.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $430,884 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN	110 INNER CAMPUS DR	AUSTIN	TX	78712	TRAVIS	USA	Nursing Research	000	1	3/25/2026	NEW	$430,884
														Subtotal = $430,884

Grand Total All Awards = $430,884

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Music-4-MS to Improve Cognition in People Living with Multiple Sclerosis: A Feasibility Study

Award Number: R21NR022143

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NURSING RESEARCH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/23/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/29/2028

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