FAQ

Why participate?

Participating in research is an invaluable gift you can offer to your community and to science. When you participate in research, society benefits by the added knowledge that is gained by your participation. Our research investigates how older adults respond to listening-based activities as a means of promoting cognition and social wellbeing. We hope to provide information to the public on the potential benefits of such programs. The findings from our research program could be ultimately used for care at a local, state, or national level. Without your help, this would not be possible!

Additionally, your participation will allow you to engage in an enjoyable social music activity and learn more about music while meeting new friends. Music can be relaxing, invigorating, and a way to express yourself. We hope you will enjoy your time participating in these activities and the friendships that may come from them!

Can I choose which activity I will participate in?

Your assignment to either the choir activity or the music listening activity will be random, similar to a coin toss. This allows us to make sure everyone has an equal chance of being placed in either group. While you will not be able to choose which activity you participate in, we hope you will find either one enjoyable and engaging!

How often will I be asked to participate?

You will be asked to visit the lab twice, once before the group activities begin, and once after the activities are complete. These visits will last approximately two hours. The first will occur in July or August, and the second will occur in February or March.

What does a day at the lab look like?

When you arrive at our facilities, you will be greeted at the door by one of our researchers. We will explain the day’s activities and ask you to sign an agreement to participate before we begin. A research assistant will go over all the paperwork with you and make sure all is clear before you sign anything. During this visit, which will last approximately 2 hours, we will complete an audiogram to assess your hearing ability, and have you complete a short set of questionnaires to evaluate your cognitive functions and emotional well-being. In addition, we will assess your hearing capabilities in noisy environments. During the listening task, you will be presented through headphones with a list of sentences embedded in background noise, and you will be asked to identify certain key words. In addition, we will obtain a baseline heart rate measure for five minutes at rest. 

We will next record your brain’s electrical activity through a non-invasive procedure known as electroencephalography (EEG). During the EEG, you will again listen to a list of sentences embedded in background noise and be asked to identify certain words while we record your brain waves. In order to record your brain’s electrical activity, surface electrodes will be attached to your scalp via water-soluble gel. Electrodes will also be placed under your eyes to monitor eye movement. During testing, you will be seated in a comfortable chair inside an electrically shielded room. 

The whole session, including all the preparation, testing and clean-up, may take about two hours. You can take as many breaks as you need during this time, and you will be provided with snacks and water. After your participation is finished, you will receive monetary compensation for your time.

How long is each lab visit?

Each lab visit will last approximately two hours, including all paperwork, preparation, testing, and clean-up.

How can I schedule visits?

Call or text us at 213-740-8293 or email us at AgingMindsProject@usc.edu. We are flexible. If you need to reschedule a visit, please call or email us before your visit time!

How will I get to the lab?

Our address is 3620A McClintock Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90089. We can provide you with a pass to park your car in a nearby structure for free. We can also provide a free Lyft to and from campus if you don’t have access to a car or don’t want to drive. Please check out our “Getting Here” tab for more information.

What is EEG?

EEG, or electroencephalography, is a noninvasive tool commonly used by researchers to view brain activity. Your brain cells communicate with each other using electricity. An EEG detects this electrical activity using small disc-shaped sensors, called electrodes, which are attached to a soft, elastic cap. A salt-based gel is placed underneath each electrode, this helps conduct your brain’s electricity from the scalp to the electrode. The brain activity shows up on the EEG recording as wavy lines.

Are there risks to EEG?

There are no known risks associated with EEG recordings. The electrodes do not transmit any electricity into your body, they only record brain activity.

Any study may involve some risks; the informed consent form for your research study will explain any specific risks. Make sure you understand the risks of the overall study before you decide to take part.

Is there anything I need to do to prepare for an EEG?

Make sure to come to the lab with dry hair and NO product in your hair, such as hair gel or hair creams. Please style your hair in such a way that we can easily move it out of the way of the electrodes. Generally, hair down or in a loose style will be easiest. If possible, please avoid braids or other styles that may impede the electrodes.

Be prepared to go home and wash your hair after the EEG, as you will get EEG gel in your hair. Use warm water and lots of shampoo and soap.

What will I do during the EEG?

Step 1: Put the EEG electrode cap on your head. This soft, elastic cap is similar in fit and comfort to a swim cap.

Step 2: A research assistant will use a Q-tip and an exfoliating cleansing gel to clean the skin under each of the electrodes. This ensures that the electrode will be able to detect the brain activity without dead skin cells in the way. 

Step 3: A research assistant will put salt-based EEG gel under each of the electrodes. The gel, which is similar to hair gel, helps conduct the electrical brain activity from the scalp to the electrodes.

Step 4: A research assistant will check to make sure all of the electrodes are detecting the brain activity correctly. They may use Q-tips to clean the skin more thoroughly and move hair out of the way of the electrodes.

Step 5: Complete computer tasks while your brain waves are being recorded. You can stop the EEG at any time by signaling to the research assistant monitoring the recording outside the testing room

Step 6: After you are done with your lab visit, take a shower to get the EEG gel out of your hair.

What else should I know about EEG?

Will my information be shared with others?

Your privacy is very important to us and your information will be treated confidentially. Your information will NOT be shared with anyone that is not affiliated with the study. Only certified researchers affiliated with the study will have access to your contact information and will only contact you about the study and for no other reason.

How is my information and data protected?

You will be assigned a unique study ID that only research personnel can associate with your personal identifying information. All our data is stored in a secure cloud repository that is password protected and only accessible by authorized personnel.