Music Mindfulness for Mental Health Issues

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By AZA Allsop, MD, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Yale University

Disqualifiers: Ages 15 and younger

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

300 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Mental health vulnerability due to stress is increased in People of African Descent (PADs) in America due to disproportionate effects of racism, poverty, education, and criminal justice sentencing. Various meditation and mindfulness approaches have provided evidence of measured reductions in multiple negative dimensions of stress. However, the majority of these studies do not have an adequate representation of PADs or other marginalized groups and are not designed to be culturally relevant or community based. Music has been shown to alleviate multiple symptoms of stress and has been shown to be a preferred and effective support for meditation and mindfulness. However, its role in stress management in PADs engaged in meditation or mindfulness is seldom studied. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a virtual, community-based music mindfulness program on stress management in PAD community members with anxiety and depression during COVID19. Component 2d. Social Perception Tasks: Participants may be asked to take part in social perception tasks in which they will be asked to indicate their social perception and connection felt with various partners.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the idea that Music Mindfulness for Mental Health Issues (also known as: Social Perception Tasks) is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that combining music therapy with dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) led to higher participation levels and slightly better attendance compared to DBT alone. This suggests that music therapy can enhance engagement in treatment. Another study found that music therapy might improve coping skills in mental health patients, although the results were not statistically significant. These findings indicate that music therapy could be a promising addition to mental health treatments, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What safety data exists for Music Mindfulness for Mental Health Issues?

The provided research does not directly address the safety data for Music Mindfulness or Social Perception Tasks specifically. However, it does highlight the general positive effects of mindfulness-based interventions on mental health, such as reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, improving emotion regulation, and enhancing well-being. These studies suggest that mindfulness interventions are generally well-tolerated and beneficial for mental health, but specific safety data for Music Mindfulness would require further investigation or specific studies. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Is Music Mindfulness a promising treatment for mental health issues?

Yes, Music Mindfulness is a promising treatment for mental health issues. It can enhance emotional experiences and improve mental well-being by combining mindfulness meditation with music listening. This approach helps people become more aware of their emotions and can lead to a more positive experience with music, which may support better mental health. ^{6 8 11 12 13}

Research Team

AZA Allsop, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Yale University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for People of African Descent (PADs) in America who are experiencing stress, anxiety, and depression during COVID-19. It aims to help those affected by racism, poverty, education disparities, and criminal justice issues.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 16 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

I am 15 years old or younger.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage in virtual, community-based music mindfulness programs and social perception tasks

1 day

1 visit (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in social connection and stress management

1 day

1 visit (virtual)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Social Perception Tasks

Trial Overview The study tests a virtual music mindfulness program designed for PADs. Participants will engage in social perception tasks to measure their sense of connection with others as part of the program's evaluation.

Participant Groups

Group I: Component 2d. Social Perception Tasks Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will take part in social perception tasks in speed-dating like interactions with individuals in which they are not allowed to verbally communicate. After silently interacting with each partner, subjects will be prompted to answer survey questions about their perceptions of their partner and their interaction. This task will take place in a variety of settings.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Yale University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,963

Recruited

3,046,000+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

Findings from Research

In a pilot study involving 26 adults with serious mental illness, a combined Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and music therapy (MT) group showed significantly higher participation levels and engagement compared to a standard DBT-only group.

The study suggests that integrating music therapy into DBT may enhance participant outcomes, indicating a promising direction for future research in therapeutic interventions for mental health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training With Music Therapy Interventions for Adults With Serious Mental Illness: A Quasi-Experimental Nonequivalent Control-Group Pilot Study. Dvorak, A., Landeck, L., Dyer, W., et al.[2022]

Using music to express negative emotions (Discharge) is linked to increased anxiety and Neuroticism, especially in males, suggesting it may be a maladaptive emotional regulation strategy.

In contrast, females who use music for distraction (Diversion) show increased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex, indicating a potentially healthier coping mechanism for managing negative emotions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Maladaptive and adaptive emotion regulation through music: a behavioral and neuroimaging study of males and females. Carlson, E., Saarikallio, S., Toiviainen, P., et al.[2020]

In a study involving 92 adults in acute mental health care, educational music therapy (through lyric analysis and songwriting) showed a trend towards improving coping self-efficacy compared to a control group, although the results were not statistically significant.

The findings suggest that even single-session music therapy could be clinically relevant for enhancing coping skills in acute care settings, highlighting the need for further research to explore its potential benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music Therapy for Coping Self-Efficacy in an Acute Mental Health Setting: A Randomized Pilot Study. Silverman, MJ.[2020]

There is a significant lack of quantitative research on the effects of music therapy for individuals with mental illnesses, despite its potential to treat various clinical populations.

This study analyzes high-quality research methods from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to propose improved methodologies for future music therapy research, aiming to strengthen the evidence base and enhance treatment for mental health patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quantitative comparison of cognitive behavioral therapy and music therapy research: a methodological best-practices analysis to guide future investigation for adult psychiatric patients. Silverman, MJ.[2019]

In a study of 123 psychiatric patients, most maintained their music preferences after the onset of a mental disorder, finding music helpful for their mental state and using it for emotion modulation.

However, some patients experienced a shift in music preference or stopped listening to music altogether, which was associated with negative impacts on their mental state, indicating the need for guidance on using music functionally in therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Change of Music Preferences Following the Onset of a Mental Disorder. Gebhardt, S., von Georgi, R.[2020]

An 8-week online mindfulness intervention for pregnant women was found to be feasible and acceptable, with a retention rate indicating good participant engagement.

Women who participated in the mindfulness program experienced significant reductions in depressive and anxious symptoms, along with improvements in mindfulness skills, compared to those receiving routine prenatal care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of an Online Mindfulness Intervention Focusing on Attention Monitoring and Acceptance in Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Yang, M., Jia, G., Sun, S., et al.[2020]

In a study of 853 adults, mindfulness was found to positively impact mental health by improving emotion regulation, which in turn reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The effects of mindfulness on mental health were consistent across genders, suggesting that mindfulness training could be beneficial for both clinical and general populations in managing emotional difficulties.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emotion Regulation Mediates the Associations of Mindfulness on Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in the General Population. Freudenthaler, L., Turba, JD., Tran, US.[2020]

A new psychophysiological method using event-related brain potentials (ERPs) was tested on about 70 participants with recurrent depression, showing a strong negative correlation between increased mindfulness (measured by dERPi) and reduced depression symptoms (dDS) in those undergoing mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT).

The study suggests that traditional self-report measures of mindfulness may not be as effective as this new method, as the correlation between dERPi and dDS was significantly stronger than that of self-reported mindfulness measures, indicating a more reliable assessment of mindfulness's impact on mental health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Measuring Mindfulness: A Psychophysiological Approach. Bostanov, V., Ohlrogge, L., Britz, R., et al.[2020]

In a study of 187 adults with mood and anxiety disorders, rumination and worry were found to mediate the relationship between mindfulness and anxiety symptoms, indicating that these cognitive strategies play a significant role in how mindfulness affects anxiety.

For depression, rumination and reappraisal were identified as mediators between mindfulness and depressive symptoms, suggesting that mindfulness influences mental health through different emotion regulation strategies depending on whether the issue is anxiety or depression.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness and emotion regulation in depression and anxiety: common and distinct mechanisms of action. Desrosiers, A., Vine, V., Klemanski, DH., et al.[2023]

A 2-week online trial with 161 participants showed that both short and long mindfulness meditations, whether sitting or movement-based, improved mental well-being and reduced psychological distress, with no significant differences in effectiveness based on meditation type or duration.

However, participants practicing movement meditation had a higher dropout rate, suggesting that this type may be less appealing or harder to stick with compared to sitting meditations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Mindfulness Meditation Duration and Type on Well-being: an Online Dose-Ranging Randomized Controlled Trial. Fincham, GW., Mavor, K., Dritschel, B.[2023]

Temporary mindfulness meditation can enhance the experience of music by reducing negative emotions associated with happy and sad music, while also promoting a more beautiful experience of calm music among non-musically trained individuals.

The study involved 67 university students who participated in a 10-minute mindfulness meditation before listening to Chinese classical folk music, revealing that mindfulness may improve emotional processing and body awareness during musical experiences.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Musical Aesthetic Emotion Processing. Liu, X., Liu, Y., Shi, H., et al.[2021]

In a study of 905 participants, distress tolerance was found to mediate the relationship between mindfulness and levels of depression and anxiety, suggesting that being more mindful can help improve emotional resilience.

A daily diary study with 110 participants confirmed that increases in daily mindfulness were linked to improved distress tolerance, which in turn reduced daily depression and anxiety, indicating that mindfulness training could be beneficial for emotional well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Distress tolerance as a mechanism of mindfulness for depression and anxiety: Cross-sectional and diary evidence. Li, Y., Ju, R., Hofmann, SG., et al.[2023]

In a study of 170 young adults, mindfulness-based attention was found to significantly predict symptoms of anhedonic depression, but not anxiety, suggesting its specific role in addressing depressive symptoms.

Mindfulness-based attention also correlated with better perceived health and less impairment in physical and mental functioning, highlighting its potential benefits for overall health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Incremental validity of mindfulness-based attention in relation to the concurrent prediction of anxiety and depressive symptomatology and perceptions of health. Zvolensky, MJ., Solomon, SE., McLeish, AC., et al.[2007]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training With Music Therapy Interventions for Adults With Serious Mental Illness: A Quasi-Experimental Nonequivalent Control-Group Pilot Study. [2022]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Maladaptive and adaptive emotion regulation through music: a behavioral and neuroimaging study of males and females. [2020]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music Therapy for Coping Self-Efficacy in an Acute Mental Health Setting: A Randomized Pilot Study. [2020]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quantitative comparison of cognitive behavioral therapy and music therapy research: a methodological best-practices analysis to guide future investigation for adult psychiatric patients. [2019]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Change of Music Preferences Following the Onset of a Mental Disorder. [2020]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of an Online Mindfulness Intervention Focusing on Attention Monitoring and Acceptance in Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2020]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emotion Regulation Mediates the Associations of Mindfulness on Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in the General Population. [2020]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Measuring Mindfulness: A Psychophysiological Approach. [2020]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness and emotion regulation in depression and anxiety: common and distinct mechanisms of action. [2023]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Mindfulness Meditation Duration and Type on Well-being: an Online Dose-Ranging Randomized Controlled Trial. [2023]

11. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Musical Aesthetic Emotion Processing. [2021]

12. Spain pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Distress tolerance as a mechanism of mindfulness for depression and anxiety: Cross-sectional and diary evidence. [2023]

13. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Incremental validity of mindfulness-based attention in relation to the concurrent prediction of anxiety and depressive symptomatology and perceptions of health. [2007]