F.A.Q.
Below is a list of questions concerning the Music Cognitive Test.
We will be adding more questions as we get them.
At the time of writing, a tablet version of MCT is being developed, aiming to increase the test portability (e.g., no need for a music instrument) as well as to facilitate administration procedures. With the tablet MCT App, it will be possible to easily store and access participants’ scores remotely, and highlight differences in multiple patients’ performance, through a user-friendly platform.
A cutoff at MCT = 45 yielded the best balance between sensitivity and specificity (i.e., scores < 45 indicate possible cognitive impairment).
In our validation we conduct a test-retest after one month time, showing no significant learning effect. However, the test-retest analysis was not conducted for repetitive administration (e.g., participants tested for multiple months in a row) and learning effects could occur (please see MCT validation study for more information).
MCT can be administered by any health professionals, clinicians, or researchers that work in the music rehabilitation context.
To achieve a good overall understanding of MCT outcomes, we suggest that practitioners (including music professionals working in rehabilitation settings) intending to use the MCT carefully familiarise themselves with the administration and scoring procedures and are suitably trained and experienced in the use of cognitive screening measures to interpret the outcomes (For more information please go to the training section).
Yes, for people with visual and physical disabilities we include in the manual some recommendations to follow when taking the test.
Yes. MCT is an accurate assessment tool for older adult populations and is even suitable to be used in care home settings.
In fact, MCT validation covered a wide age spectrum (18-100 years old). In particular, from the large-scale cross-national validation, 65% of our participants were aged 60+, 80% of whom lived in care home settings. Furthermore, MCT was found to reliably discriminate 60+ year old individuals with established neurocognitive decline (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease).
Currently, the test is available and validated in the Italian and English languages.