Music Training for Child Development

Recruiting in Los Angeles (>99 mi)

Overseen By Shan Luo

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Southern California

Disqualifiers: Neurological, Psychiatric, Hearing loss, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 12

114 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This proposed study aims to provide a definitive answer to whether music training benefits brain development, particularly brain inhibition control circuitry and its related health outcomes using a randomized control trial design. In the study, 114 Hispanic children between ages 6-8 from underserved communities of LA will be randomly assigned to a 24-month:(1) community-focused after school music training group focused on a traditional strings curriculum at the Colburn school in Los Angeles (MG) or (2) a control group (CG) after-school program comprising of visual arts, book club, ethnic and cultural studies and theater without specific focus on systematic music training or sports. Imaging data will be collected at before and after the intervention (24 months), behavioral assessments will be conducted before the intervention and yearly afterwards, and mid-intervention evaluations will be performed every six months throughout the study.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment After School Music Training Program for child development?

Research shows that music-based interventions can positively impact children's development, including emotional, social, and motor skills. Music therapy has been effective in promoting social interaction, reducing anxiety, and enhancing communication skills in children, which suggests that music training programs could similarly benefit child development. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the Music Program treatment differ from other treatments for child development?

The Music Program treatment is unique because it uses music training to enhance various developmental skills in children, such as motor skills, speech, language, and social interaction, which are not typically targeted by standard treatments. Unlike other therapies, it leverages the natural engagement and enjoyment of music to support developmental milestones. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

Research Team

Assal Habibi

Principal Investigator

University of Southern California

Eligibility Criteria

This study is for Hispanic children aged 6-8 from low-income families in LA, with normal IQ and living within a 2-mile radius of the program locations. It's not for kids who've had more than 6 months of music training, have MRI-incompatible body parts, claustrophobia, neurological/psychiatric disorders, or severe hearing/vision loss.

Inclusion Criteria

Normal IQ (standard score of >85 in the Abbreviated Wechsler's Scale of Intelligence)

Hispanic/Latino living in LA within 2 miles radius of the location of the music and the afterschool programs

Low SES as defined by Hollingshead Index cumulative score below 29

Exclusion Criteria

I have severe hearing or vision loss that can't be corrected with glasses or contacts.

Claustrophobia

Prior engagement in formal and systematic music training for more than 6 months

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

R61 Phase

Feasibility of executing the RCT is evaluated with comprehensive behavioral and imaging data collection

2 years

Pre-intervention, mid-intervention every 6 months, post-intervention

R33 Phase

Continuation of the study with comprehensive behavioral and imaging data collection

3 years

Pre-intervention, mid-intervention every 6 months, post-intervention

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for long-term effects on brain inhibition control circuitry and related health outcomes

6 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• After School Enrichment Program
• Music Program

Trial Overview The trial tests if music training benefits brain development in children. Participants are randomly placed into a music group receiving traditional strings curriculum or a control group with various after-school activities but no systematic music training.

Participant Groups

Group I: Music Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

57 Hispanic participants, aged 6-8 Participants will be enrolled in a music training program led by professional trained music instructor of the Colburn School of Music. The music curriculum follows the standard Suzuki training method. Students attend the program 3 days per week, 2 weekday afternoons and one weekend morning. Each session lasts approximately 1 hour long. Each student will be given a string instrument to take home (often a viola or a violin). Each learning day focuses on development of musical elements including rhythm and meter, form, pitch, and performance. Students will take part in annual performances intended to give them a motivational goal, sense of mastery and to share their accomplishments with their peers, family, and community.

Group II: After School Enrichment Group Active Control 1 Intervention

57 participants, aged 6-8 Participants will be enrolled in an after school program led by instructors and will include visual arts, theater, and general cultural studies. Students attend the program 3 days per week in the afternoon for 1 hour long lessons. Students will take part in an end of the year celebration to share their work with family and community members. Duration and frequency of the after-school program will be matched to the music intervention.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Southern California

Lead Sponsor

Trials

956

Recruited

1,609,000+

Findings from Research

A review of 22 pediatric studies on music-based interventions highlighted significant gaps in how these interventions are reported, particularly in areas like music qualities and intervention delivery methods.

The findings suggest a need for standardized reporting guidelines to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of music-based interventions in research and practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A review of music-based intervention reporting in pediatrics. Robb, SL., Carpenter, JS.[2022]

Music-based interventions are effective for treating health issues and enhancing education in children, positively impacting their emotional and developmental growth.

There is a significant gap in empirical research on music therapy for children, highlighting the need for more studies to explore its applications, treatment goals, and specific mechanisms of action.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Music-based intervention in children]. Kiese-Himmel, C.[2012]

In a study involving 20 pregnant women undergoing elective caesarean delivery, listening to Mozart sonatas during the procedure did not significantly improve patient satisfaction compared to a control group without music.

There were no notable differences in anxiety levels or post-operative mean arterial pressure between the music and control groups, suggesting that music may not have a meaningful impact in this surgical context.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of Mozart music on patient satisfaction during caesarean delivery: a randomised controlled trial. Drzymalski, DM., Dahlawi, M., Hall, RR., et al.[2023]

Music therapy can significantly help pediatric oncology patients by addressing physical, social, and psychological needs, such as reducing pain and anxiety, and decreasing reliance on pain medication.

It promotes social interaction and emotional expression, enhancing relationships with healthcare providers and family, which is crucial for patients undergoing long-term treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy research and applications in pediatric oncology treatment. Standley, JM., Hanser, SB.[2017]

Music therapy can significantly support hospitalized children in reaching their growth and development milestones, including motor skills, communication, and social interactions.

Healthcare professionals are encouraged to collaborate with registered music therapists to enhance the effectiveness of music therapy in pediatric care settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The specialist role of the music therapist in developmental programs for hospitalized children. Kennelly, J.[2019]

Music-based training may enhance speech and language development in children with communication disorders, including those using cochlear implants (CIs), despite the challenges posed by degraded sound processing in CIs.

There is a lack of systematic studies on the effectiveness of music training for CI users, highlighting the need for more research to understand its potential benefits for improving speech skills.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music-based training for pediatric CI recipients: A systematic analysis of published studies. Gfeller, K.[2018]

The study analyzed 88 episodes of Barney & Friends and found that music made up 92.2% of the content, with a significant portion being instrumental (61%), indicating a strong emphasis on musical experiences for preschoolers.

Most of the music served as structural prompts (48%) or background music (48%), with a majority being newly composed material (52%), suggesting that the show actively engages children with original music to enhance learning and interaction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of music on Barney & Friends: implications for music therapy practice and research. McGuire, KM.[2019]

Children who participated in a music training program showed significant improvement in their ability to distinguish pitch differences, indicating that musical training can enhance auditory skills after cochlear implantation.

While the music training did not significantly improve speech perception compared to the control group, it did lead to earlier readiness for formal speech evaluations and greater overall musical development by the end of the second year, suggesting benefits in auditory processing and parent-child relationships.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The family oriented musical training for children with cochlear implants: speech and musical perception results of two year follow-up. Yucel, E., Sennaroglu, G., Belgin, E.[2009]

A review of 46 studies indicates that music interventions can have positive effects on the development of primary school-aged children, suggesting potential benefits for educational processes.

While the evidence points to beneficial outcomes, the review highlights that clear conclusions cannot be drawn due to variability in study quality and intervention components, indicating a need for further research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music Interventions and Child Development: A Critical Review and Further Directions. Dumont, E., Syurina, EV., Feron, FJM., et al.[2020]

References

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

A review of music-based intervention reporting in pediatrics. [2022]

2. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Music-based intervention in children]. [2012]

3. Poland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of Mozart music on patient satisfaction during caesarean delivery: a randomised controlled trial. [2023]

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

Music therapy research and applications in pediatric oncology treatment. [2017]

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

The specialist role of the music therapist in developmental programs for hospitalized children. [2019]

6. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music-based training for pediatric CI recipients: A systematic analysis of published studies. [2018]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of music on Barney & Friends: implications for music therapy practice and research. [2019]

8. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The family oriented musical training for children with cochlear implants: speech and musical perception results of two year follow-up. [2009]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music Interventions and Child Development: A Critical Review and Further Directions. [2020]