Investigating Musical Approaches In Geriatrics In Neurological Exploration
At IMAGINE Lab, our research is focused on studying if music listening and playing have a positive impact on the emotions and social connectedness of people with Alzheimer Disease (AD) as well as their caregivers. Combining music with science and technology, our interdisciplinary team plans to use electroencephalography (EEG) data to explore the neurological effects related to music therapy interventions, specifically how individuals with AD store and retrieve musical memories.
Current brain imagining research has indicated that music therapy can lead to decreased levels of depression and pain perception, as well as increased social engagement for typical adults with AD. Our research team hopes to further examine how music can improve physical coordination, social interaction, and emotional experiences for individuals diagnosed with AD.
Our research team is collectively passionate about helping those who treat or have Alzheimer Disease. Our goal is to apply findings from our study to help music therapists develop more effective music interventions for their patients with AD. We also hope that these findings will help design training programs for caregivers to teach them how using music-based strategies can support positive relationships and connectedness with a person with AD.
Our Team
Joanna (Jo) Culligan | Principal Investigator
Blacksburg, VA | Instructor, Human Development and Family Science
Drexel University | M.A., Music Therapy
Virginia Tech | B.A., Music Technology | B.S., Marketing Management
Email: joculligan@vt.edu | Faculty Page, LinkedIn
Jo Culligan is a parent, partner, music therapist, instructor and researcher at Virginia Tech. As a collaborative and creative creature, she strives build connections between people. She specializes in working with persons who are experiencing dementia and their care-partners using evidence-based musical approaches through neurologic research discovery to improve their communication and engagement. As an instructor, Jo is passionate about breaking down stigmas associated with aging and hopes to create the next generation of gerontology enthusiasts.
Tanner Upthegrove | Media Engineer and Technologist, Consultant
Virginia Tech | M.F.A. in Theatre
Full Sail University | B.S., Business | A.S., Recording Arts
Immersive Audio Specialist, Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT)
Email: upty@vt.edu | LinkedIn
Tanner Upthegrove thrives at the intersection of arts and technology as an Immersive Audio Specialist for Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology. IMAGINE Lab is lucky to have Tanner onboard to help assist with wireless EEG networking technologies and design audiovisual/data processing systems.
Violet Zaleski | Research Assistant
Virginia Tech | B.S. in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise; minors in Chemistry and Adaptive Brain & Behavior
Email: violetz@vt.edu | LinkedIn
Violet is a Certified Nurse Aide at the Engagement Center for Creative Aging and works directly with people with Dementia. She is passionate about helping others and was captivated by the study at IMAGINE Lab. Violet joined the team to learn more about the neurological and behavioral effects of music therapy and has since helped with data collection during the academic year and summer. Violet likes crocheting, relaxing outside, lifting heavy weights, and has plans to attend Osteopathic Medical School after graduation.
News and Upcoming Events
Research Session
We are recruiting participants to engage in our study! Do you know anyone who might be interested?
Please have them contact us at imaginelab@vt.edu.
Past Events
ICAT Creativity and Innovation Day (May 1st at Moss Arts Center)
ICAT Creativity and Innovation Day
Exhibit: Watch your brain in musical action!
Want to see what happens in your brain when you are listening to music? What about when you are making music?
Try on an EEG cap, pick a song and play up a drum. Bring a friend and see how your brains interact with one another while making music and having fun together!
Dennis Dean Research Conference (Spring 2023)
Some of our undergraduate research assistants presented at a university-wide conference! See attached poster board for more information.
Exploring the Neuroplasticity of Music to Re-establish Synchronized Behavior & Communication Patterns Between Individuals with Dementia and their Caregivers Dennis Dean Conference 2023.pptx
Contact Us
We would love to hear from you!Principal Investigator: Jo Culligan | Email: joculligan@vt.edu
