Auditory Stimulation for Schizophrenia

Overseen By Dara Manoach, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Must not be taking: Psychotropic medications

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Neurological disorder, Substance abuse, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 2 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether playing quiet sounds during sleep can improve brain activity and memory in people with schizophrenia. Researchers will compare sleep and memory performance with and without Auditory Stimulation Therapy. The study involves two groups: one with schizophrenia and another healthy group without mental illness. Suitable candidates include outpatients with schizophrenia who have difficulty with memory or sleep. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could enhance memory and sleep quality.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if schizophrenia patients need to stop their current medications. However, healthy controls cannot be on psychotropic medications.

What prior data suggests that auditory stimulation is safe for patients with schizophrenia?

Research has shown that listening to music is safe for people with schizophrenia. Studies have found that music therapy can help reduce symptoms such as auditory hallucinations. No reports of serious side effects have emerged from this type of treatment.

Other studies have safely used non-invasive brain stimulation methods in similar patient groups. These studies support the idea that gentle sound therapies are generally well-tolerated, meaning people usually do not experience adverse reactions.

Overall, evidence suggests that using sound during sleep is likely safe for people with schizophrenia. However, consulting a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment is always important. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about auditory stimulation for schizophrenia because it introduces a non-invasive approach to managing symptoms, unlike traditional treatments that often rely on antipsychotic medications. Most treatments for schizophrenia focus on altering brain chemistry through medication, which can have significant side effects. In contrast, auditory stimulation targets brain function directly through sound, aiming to improve cognitive processes and potentially reduce symptoms without medication-related side effects. This method could offer a new avenue for symptom management with fewer risks, making it a promising alternative for those who struggle with or are hesitant to use conventional medications.

What evidence suggests that auditory stimulation is effective for schizophrenia?

Research has shown that music therapy, which involves listening to music, can help improve the well-being of people with schizophrenia. Some studies have found that it enhances language skills and overall symptoms. Music therapy appears to positively affect brain activity and behavior. In this trial, participants will receive either Auditory Stimulation Therapy or a placebo. This suggests that playing soft sounds while sleeping might also help balance brain activity and improve memory in people with schizophrenia. Although more research is needed, these findings support the potential use of sound therapy in treating schizophrenia. ^{2 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Dara Manoach, PhD

Principal Investigator

Massachusetts General Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking men and women aged 18-50 who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Participants must be outpatients, meaning they aren't currently in the hospital, and able to give informed consent to participate.

Inclusion Criteria

You can speak and understand English well.

I am an outpatient being treated for schizophrenia.

I am either male or female.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo two conditions: receiving auditory stimulation during sleep and not receiving auditory stimulation, separated by one week

2 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

2-4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Auditory Stimulation
• Placebo

Trial Overview

The study is examining if playing quiet sounds during sleep (auditory stimulation) can help normalize brain activity and improve memory in people with schizophrenia compared to a placebo (no sound).

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Schizophrenia Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Adult outpatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Group II: Healthy Controls Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Adult participants screened to exclude a personal history of mental illness, family history of schizophrenia spectrum disorder, and psychoactive medication use.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Massachusetts General Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,066

Recruited

13,430,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 67 patients with schizophrenia, group music activity as an adjunctive therapy significantly reduced psychotic symptoms, as measured by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS).

The intervention consisted of 50-minute group music sessions held five times a week for 2 weeks, demonstrating that incorporating music therapy can enhance standard care for patients in acute psychiatric settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of group music activity as an adjunctive therapy on psychotic symptoms in patients with acute schizophrenia. Peng, SM., Koo, M., Kuo, JC.[2010]

Music therapy, particularly when delivered in a combined format (active and receptive), significantly improves various outcomes for individuals with schizophrenia, including psychotic symptoms, depression, anxiety, and overall quality of life, based on a review of 17 studies.

The dosage of music therapy is crucial, with higher exposure times (ranging from 20 to 9,720 minutes) leading to better results, suggesting that more extended therapy sessions are more effective than shorter ones.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of Dosage and Type of Music Therapy in Symptom Management and Rehabilitation for Individuals with Schizophrenia. Chung, J., Woods-Giscombe, C.[2019]

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has shown potential in reducing the severity and frequency of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia, with three out of six randomized controlled trials reporting therapeutic benefits.

Despite these promising results, the overall evidence is inconclusive and insufficient, as many studies lack large sample sizes, preventing tDCS from being established as a reliable treatment option for auditory hallucinations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of transcranial direct current stimulation for the treatment of auditory hallucinations of schizophrenia - a systematic review. Pondé, PH., de Sena, EP., Camprodon, JA., et al.[2020]

Music therapy is well-accepted by schizophrenic patients, showing no negative effects even when introduced during the post-acute phase of treatment, based on a study of 30 patients.

The therapy provides positive benefits such as relaxation, reduced anxiety, and improved emotional expression, although the duration of these effects is limited.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Music therapy evaluated by schizophrenic patients]. Reker, T.[2006]

Assisted music therapy combined with drug therapy significantly improved symptoms in chronic schizophrenia patients compared to drug therapy alone, as shown by lower scores on the SANS and BPRS scales in the experimental group.

The study analyzed 11 articles with a total of 603 patients, indicating that while short-term benefits of music therapy are evident, further research is needed to assess its long-term effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Meta-analysis of assisted music therapy for chronic schizophrenia]. You, ZY., Wang, JZ.[2006]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10948521/

Five-week music therapy improves overall symptoms in ...

Some clinical studies have shown that music therapy as an adjunctive therapy can improve overall symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

2.

frontiersin.org

frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1215578/full

Treatment effects of adjunct group music therapy in ...

A recent 3-year longitudinal study reported that only 37% of BPD transitioned to schizophrenia; psychotic symptoms were mainly psychosis or ...

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1976131713000583

Effect of the Group Music Therapy on Brain Wave, Behavior ...

Glickson and Cohen (2000) found that music therapy is effective for enhancing language functioning in patients with schizophrenia, such as an ability to use ...

4.

medrxiv.org

medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.05.08.25327225v1.full-text

The effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatments for ...

Background Schizophrenia is a chronic severe mental illness affecting 24-million people globally, associated with a life expectancy 15 years ...

5.

nature.com

nature.com/articles/s41398-024-03106-4

Targeting auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia

Regions connected to stimulation site through rTMS treatment are critical for schizophrenia due to their involvement in critical functional ...

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6481900/

Music therapy for people with schizophrenia and ...

Na 2009 {published data only}. Na HJ, Yang S. Effects of listening to music on auditory hallucination and psychiatric symptoms in people with schizophrenia.

7.

jamanetwork.com

jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2825941

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Auditory ...

Findings In this randomized clinical trial of 62 patients with schizophrenia and AVH, active rTMS was superior to sham treatment in alleviating ...

8.

thelancet.com

thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(25)00516-4/fulltext

Non-invasive brain stimulation augmentation therapy for ...

We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of NIBS for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Methods. This systematic review and network ...