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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how a virtual, music-based mindfulness program can help manage stress for People of African Descent (PADs) in America facing anxiety and depression, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program uses music to enhance meditation and mindfulness, aiming to make stress management more effective and culturally relevant for PADs. Participants will engage in social perception tasks, involving non-verbal interactions to assess connection and perception of others. This trial suits PADs who experience anxiety or depression and have an interest in music and mindfulness techniques. As an unphased study, it offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative stress management techniques tailored to their cultural context.

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 prior data suggests that the Social Perception Tasks are safe?

Research shows that social connections are important for both mental and physical health. Studies even suggest they can affect longevity. This indicates that activities in this trial, which involve understanding and connecting with others, are likely safe and beneficial.

No specific evidence indicates that these social tasks cause harm. However, the environment should be considered to ensure participants feel comfortable during the activities. Overall, past research suggests these activities are generally well-received and help improve social bonds and mental well-being. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the social perception tasks being studied for mental health issues because they offer a unique, non-verbal approach to understanding social interactions. Unlike traditional talk therapies or medication, this treatment involves silent, speed-dating-like interactions where participants rely on non-verbal cues. This could provide new insights into social perception and improve how individuals with mental health conditions interpret social situations, potentially leading to enhanced therapeutic strategies.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for stress management in PADs?

Research shows that strong social connections are important for both mental and physical health. Studies consistently find that good social support links to better mental health, including less anxiety and depression. Programs focusing on improving social networks have successfully helped people adhere to mental health treatments and function better overall. These programs strengthen positive social ties, leading to improved mental well-being. In this trial, participants will engage in social perception tasks designed to enhance their perception of social interactions. These tasks aim to strengthen social connections, potentially reducing stress and improving mental health. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

AZA Allsop, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Yale University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

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]

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]

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 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]

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]

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 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 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 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]

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]

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]

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