Guglielmo Foffani receives a 2026 Healthcare Research grant from ”la Caixa” Foundation to develop a music-based intervention for people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease

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The CIEN researcher will lead an innovative project combining live music, musical improvisation and clinical assessment to improve comfort, engagement and quality of life for people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease in residential care settings.

Guglielmo Foffani, Head of the Neurophysiology and Neuromodulation Platform at the Fundación Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Neurológicas (CIEN), has been awarded a grant under the Healthcare Research 2026 programme of ”la Caixa” Foundation for a project focused on using music to promote engagement and well-being among people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease.

The grant was presented on Thursday, 15 October, as part of ”la Caixa” Foundation’s biomedical and health research and innovation awards. In this edition, the foundation selected 80 projects from research centres, universities and hospitals across Spain and Portugal, providing a total of €32.4 million in funding. The selected initiatives address current healthcare challenges and aim to generate scientific knowledge and develop solutions with the potential to improve health and benefit society.

An innovative intervention tailored to the needs of people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease

People with advanced Alzheimer’s disease often experience substantial cognitive decline, communication difficulties and reduced motivation. These challenges can make it harder for them to participate in group activities and limit the options available for non-pharmacological interventions at this stage of the disease.

To address this challenge, Guglielmo Foffani’s project proposes evaluating a structured live music intervention specifically designed for people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease, with the aim of improving comfort, engagement in activities and quality of life in residential care settings.

The approach combines the expertise of specialists in dementia, music-based interventions and clinical assessment. During the sessions, a facilitator will guide participants through a musical experience that integrates musical improvisation within a clear narrative structure. The aim is to promote attention, emotional connection and resident engagement while minimising situations that may cause discomfort or stress.

The project’s innovative aspect lies in exploring a flexible musical intervention tailored to the abilities and needs of people who are often excluded from conventional programmes because of the advanced stage of their disease. While some activities may be difficult to follow or rely on verbal communication, music offers an alternative means of fostering connection and participation.

Assessing feasibility and impact on well-being

The pilot study will assess whether the intervention is feasible and acceptable to participants and whether it can enhance meaningful engagement in group activities. It will also examine its short-term effects on comfort and behavioural stability.

The findings will help determine the potential of this approach as a non-pharmacological intervention in residential care settings and inform the assessment of its possible application in the care of people with advanced dementia.

Beyond its scientific dimension, the project adopts a person-centred approach aimed at expanding opportunities for participation among people with more substantial cognitive and communication difficulties. Its development could help advance more humane, inclusive interventions tailored to the needs of people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease.

Research aimed at improving care and quality of life

The award recognises the potential of a research line that connects scientific innovation with the everyday challenges of caring for people with neurodegenerative diseases.

Fundación CIEN congratulates Guglielmo Foffani on this achievement and on advancing a project that explores new ways to improve the well-being and quality of life of people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease.