Jennifer Dorris, PhD, MM
- Research Scientist
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.
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
Dorris JL, DiCicco H, Becker JT, Rodakowski J. Developing a digital music program for older adults with changing cognition: A program development report. Music Med. 2022. Volume 14 (2).
Dorris JL, Chang K, McLaughlin DJ, Murray SS, Schaumburg, S, Rodakowski, J. Project Unmute: A Digital Music Program Delivered by Adolescent Musicians to Older Adults with Cognitive Decline. J Intergener Relatsh. 2022; 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2022.2086958
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