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Jennie Dorris PhD, MM is a research scientist working in the Department of Occupational Therapy. She obtained her PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Her expertise lies in community-based arts programs for vulnerable populations. In addition to her skills in research, Dorris is a trained classical musician. She is interested in best practices of teaching music to older adults with memory loss.

Departments

Department of Occupational Therapy

Representative Publications

  • Dorris, JL, Neely, S, Terhorst, L, VonVille, HM, Rodakowski, J. Effects of music participation for mild cognitive impairment and dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2021; 1– 9. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.17208

Research Interests

  • Music intervention development

  • Dementia

Research Grants

  • National Endowment for the Arts: Mixed-Methods Study of an Intergenerational music program delivered by adolescent musicians to older adults with early-stage cognitive decline. 
  • Academy of Country Music: Analyzing the effect of taking group music classes on the cognition of those with Mild Cognitive Impairment. 
  • National Institute on Aging: Influence of Strategy Training on Disability for Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment