Music Therapy for Cognitive Difficulties in Blood Cancer Survivors

Recruiting at 6 trial locations

Overseen By Jun Mao, MD, MSCE

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Must not be taking: Sedatives, Stimulants, Anticholinergics, others

Disqualifiers: Suicidal ideation, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Substance abuse, Dementia, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 12

Duration: 12 weeks

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether music therapy can improve brain functions such as attention and memory in blood cancer survivors. It compares music therapy sessions to music education and a wait-list control to determine which is more effective in alleviating symptoms like anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Suitable participants have had lymphoma, leukemia, or myeloma and are experiencing cognitive difficulties but remain stable in their cancer treatment. Individuals with recent surgeries or music training may not qualify. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance the quality of life for cancer survivors.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial does not specify that you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you have started or changed the dose of sedative, stimulant, or anti-cholinergic medications in the past month, or plan to do so during the study, you may not be eligible to participate.

What prior data suggests that music therapy is safe for blood cancer survivors?

Research has shown that music therapy is generally safe and well-tolerated. Studies have found that music activities can enhance brain functions like attention and memory without significant side effects. As music therapy is not a drug treatment, it lacks the chemical side effects associated with medications. Participants often report positive experiences without major issues. Although specific data on safety concerns is lacking, the non-invasive nature of music therapy suggests it is a safe option for improving cognitive difficulties in blood cancer survivors. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the use of music therapy for cognitive difficulties in blood cancer survivors because it offers a non-pharmacological approach that could enhance cognitive function through engagement with music. Unlike traditional treatments which might focus on medications or cognitive behavioral techniques, music therapy leverages the brain's response to music to potentially improve memory and attention. This method is unique because it not only involves active participation in music-related activities but also incorporates therapeutic guidance and homework to reinforce learning and skill development, making it a holistic and engaging approach. Additionally, the option for participants to choose between music therapy and a music education control offers flexibility and personalization in treatment, which can be particularly appealing for patients.

What evidence suggests that music therapy might be an effective treatment for cognitive difficulties in blood cancer survivors?

Research has shown that music therapy, which participants in this trial may receive, might improve brain functions such as attention, memory, and decision-making in blood cancer survivors. One study suggested that music therapy could be more effective than merely learning about music, which is being tested in the Therapist Attention-Music Education (TAME) control arm of this trial, for addressing cancer-related cognitive issues. Other research has found that music therapy can also reduce anxiety in cancer survivors. These findings suggest that music-based activities could be a practical way to address cognitive difficulties and other symptoms like anxiety and depression. Overall, music therapy appears promising for enhancing brain functions in blood cancer survivors. ^{2 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kevin Liou, MD

Principal Investigator

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for blood cancer survivors experiencing cognitive challenges. Participants should have a history of hematologic malignancies like lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or leukemia. The study aims to include those who might benefit from telehealth music therapy.

Inclusion Criteria

Score of less than 54 on the FACT-Cog PCI subscale

Minimum life expectancy of one year as per clinician assessment

Ability to understand informed consent and provide signed informed consent in English

Exclusion Criteria

Active suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or substance abuse

It has been less than 3 months since I finished my last cancer treatment.

I have permanent issues with my sight, hearing, or movement.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive 12 weekly 60-minute sessions of either Music Therapy or Therapist Attention-Music Education with homework in-between sessions

12 weeks

12 visits (virtual)

Wait-List Control

Participants in the Wait-List Control group receive usual care and have the option to receive 12 sessions of MT or TAME after a 24-week waiting period

24 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Music Therapy

Trial Overview The study tests if telehealth music therapy (MT) can improve brain functions and reduce symptoms like anxiety, depression, and fatigue in blood cancer survivors. It compares MT with a control activity called Therapist-Attention Music Education (TAME).

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Music Therapy/MT Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive 12, weekly 60-minute MT sessions (+/- 1 week) with homework in-between sessions to reinforce in-session concepts, practice musical skills, and serve as transitions to subsequent sessions

Group II: Therapist Attention-Music Education/TAME control Active Control 1 Intervention

Patients will receive 12, weekly 60-minute Therapist Attention-Music Education/TAME sessions (+/- 1 week) with homework in-between sessions to reinforce in-session concepts and serve as transitions to subsequent sessions. The TAME control group will involve board-certified music therapists guiding participants through music listening exercises.

Group III: Wait-List Control/WLC Active Control 1 Intervention

The Wait-List Control/WLC group will receive usual care from healthcare providers and complete the same assessments as the other groups. The WLC will have the option of receiving either 12 sessions of MT or 12 sessions of TAME intervention when the study concludes after the 24-week waiting period. The WLC participants will choose which intervention (MT or TAME) they wish to receive.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,998

Recruited

602,000+

Citations

1. mskcc.org mskcc.org/cancer-care/clinical-trials/25-119

A Study of Music Therapy for Blood Cancer Survivors with ... Researchers are doing this study to see if music therapy is a practical treatment for cognitive difficulties in survivors of blood cancers.

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05215353

NCT05215353 | A Study Comparing Music Therapy and ... The researchers are doing this study to compare how music therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, given virtually, may be able to reduce anxiety in people ...

3. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/299955/a-music-therapy-study-for-blood-cancer-survivors-with-cognitive-difficulties/

A Music Therapy Study for Blood Cancer Survivors With ... Research has shown that music-based activities may help improve brain functions, such as attention, memory, and executive function. Because of ...

4. cancer.gov cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/NCI-2025-05057

A Music Therapy Study for Blood Cancer Survivors with ... These music therapy sessions may be more effective than simple music education for improving cancer-related cognitive dysfunction in patients with leukemia, ...

5. pcori.org pcori.org/research-results/2021/music-therapy-versus-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-anxiety-cancer-survivors

Music Therapy Versus Cognitive Behavioral ... This study compares how well remote music therapy (MT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) help adult cancer survivors manage their ...

6. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-blood-cancers-5-2025-3aeb8

Music Therapy for Cognitive Difficulties in Blood Cancer ... Research has shown that music-based activities may help improve brain functions, such as attention, memory, and executive function.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10176150/

Telehealth-Based Music Therapy Versus Cognitive Behavioral ... Music therapy (MT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are evidence-based, nonpharmacological treatments that have demonstrated effectiveness in treating ...