Music Playlists for Grief

Overseen By Diana A Wang, BA

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Brown University

Disqualifiers: Prior music-based intervention

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

30 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the effectiveness of a music-based intervention as a bereavement strategy for individuals who are a part of the Loss of Spouse/Life Partner Grief Support Group at HopeHealth, a healthcare organization in Providence, Rhode Island that specializes in home care, hospice care, palliative care, and grief support. The main question it ams to answer is: * Will the experience of creating a musical playlist help individuals in bereavement process their grief more effectively? Participants will undergo the following main tasks: * A baseline pre-assessment survey that asks about the role of music in the participant's and their partner's life, as well as how music has helped participants with their grief. * A 75-minute Zoom session with the study investigator which includes a conversation about the participant's loved one and grief journey. This Zoom session serves to find themes and emotions in the participant's grief journey which will be as foundations for musical playlists. * Participants will create their own musical playlist based on guidance from the study investigator. * A post-assessment survey that asks participants to reflect on the experience of creating a playlist. This survey also examines if music plays a new role in the participant's life.

Research Team

Diana A Wang, BA

Principal Investigator

Brown University

Sarah DeCosta, LMHC

Principal Investigator

HopeHealth

Fred J Schiffman, MD

Principal Investigator

Brown University

Deanna Church

Principal Investigator

HopeHealth

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for members of HopeHealth's Spouse/Life Partner Grief Support group who can hear well enough to enjoy music. They need a device that can play music from services like YouTube, Apple Music, or Spotify and must be able to complete surveys in English.

Inclusion Criteria

I can hear music well enough.

Access to a computer, laptop, phone, iPad, or any other technological device that's able to support YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or another preferred streaming service

Ability to complete pre- and post-assessments in English.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants who have participated in any music-based intervention for bereavement

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Baseline Pre-assessment

Participants complete a pre-assessment survey about the role of music in their life and grief

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

Music Playlist Creation

Participants engage in a 75-minute Zoom session to discuss their grief journey and create a personalized music playlist

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

Post-assessment

Participants complete a post-assessment survey reflecting on the playlist creation experience

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in the importance of music and its impact on mental health and well-being

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Musical Playlist

Trial Overview The study tests if creating a personal musical playlist helps people grieving the loss of a spouse or life partner process their emotions more effectively. It involves pre- and post-assessment surveys and a guided session to create the playlist.

Participant Groups

Group I: Creating Musical Playlist Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants created a musical playlist over 1 week based on themes and emotions from their grief journey.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Brown University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

480

Recruited

724,000+

The Miriam Hospital

Collaborator

Trials

252

Recruited

39,200+