Music-Based, Personalized Digital Therapy for People with Epilepsy

In this cross-disciplinary project, we propose to create a precision digital therapy by integrating expertise in music, mobile health, and atmospheric sciences. Neurological effects of music are recognized as a means to improve treatments for refractory epilepsy. A dozen clinical studies report how listening to Mozart’s sonatas K.448 and K.545 can significantly reduce seizures in people with epilepsy. We will apply music analysis to several Mozart compositions to create diverse playlists intended to reduce seizures. These playlists will differ in tempo/rhythm to modulate arousal, and will be delivered via web-based application and mp3 players. Because atmospheric conditions are known to precipitate seizures, music content will be adjusted to current and future weather conditions. Such a personalized digital therapy system will include an algorithm acquiring local weather data based on GPS coordinates or IP address, assessing weather-related seizure risks, and delivering playlists with arousal-adjusted antiseizure music.
The project complements four strategic goals by: 1) creating knowledge that has direct relevance to patient care; 2) allowing students to get hands-on experience with a transformative research; 3) engaging community outreach by collaborating with a local non-profit organization, the Gifted Music School, to deliver seminars about health benefits of music; 4) ensuring long-term viability by promoting efficiency in the collaborative process itself.

Current Status

2021-09-15
Abstract:
In this cross-disciplinary project, we propose to create a precision digital therapy by integrating expertise in music, mobile health, and atmospheric sciences. Neurological effects of music are recognized as a means to improve treatments for refractory epilepsy. A dozen clinical studies report how listening to Mozart’s sonatas K.448 and K.545 can significantly reduce seizures in people with epilepsy. We will apply music analysis to several Mozart compositions to create diverse playlists intended to reduce seizures. These playlists will differ in tempo/rhythm to modulate arousal, and will be delivered via web-based application and mp3 players. Because atmospheric conditions are known to precipitate seizures, music content will be adjusted to current and future weather conditions. Such a personalized digital therapy system will include an algorithm acquiring local weather data based on GPS coordinates or IP address, assessing weather-related seizure risks, and delivering playlists with arousal-adjusted antiseizure music. 

The project complements four strategic goals by: 1) creating knowledge that has direct relevance to patient care; 2) allowing students to get hands-on experience with a transformative research; 3) engaging community outreach by collaborating with a local non-profit organization, the Gifted Music School, to deliver seminars about health benefits of music; 4) ensuring long-term viability by promoting efficiency in the collaborative process itself.