Frequency Filtered Music for PTSD

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Ohio State University

Disqualifiers: Heart condition, Tinnitus, Severe TBI, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 10

Duration: 2 weeks

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether adding frequency-filtered music to regular therapy can reduce PTSD symptoms. Participants will listen to specially filtered classical music before therapy sessions to determine if it lowers stress and improves therapy outcomes. The trial compares filtered music to regular classical music to assess the impact of filtering. Individuals with PTSD or strong PTSD-like symptoms who can attend daily therapy sessions in Ohio may be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative therapy enhancements that could improve mental health outcomes.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that frequency filtered music is safe for PTSD therapy?

Research has shown that frequency-filtered music, such as the Safe and Sound Protocol, has been studied for safety and effectiveness. Studies have found it can help reduce symptoms in people with PTSD when used alongside therapy.

The main safety concern is whether this type of music can be used without causing negative effects. Some research suggests that music therapy is generally well-tolerated, with no major side effects reported.

This specific study is labeled as "Not Applicable," indicating a focus on gathering information rather than testing a new drug. This suggests the treatment is expected to be safe, as it is not a new medication with unknown side effects. Participants in the study listen to the music for a short time (15 minutes per session), which further reduces the risk of adverse effects.

Overall, frequency-filtered music is considered safe based on current evidence and its non-invasive nature. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using frequency filtered music for PTSD because it offers a unique approach to enhancing cognitive processing therapy. While standard PTSD treatments often rely on medications like SSRIs or therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, this method introduces music that is specifically filtered to target emotional processing. The music is used as a preparatory tool before each therapy session, potentially making the brain more receptive to treatment. This innovative approach could lead to faster, more effective symptom relief compared to traditional methods.

What evidence suggests that frequency filtered music could be effective for reducing PTSD symptoms?

Research has shown that music therapy, including techniques like frequency-filtered music, can reduce PTSD symptoms and improve well-being. In this trial, one group of participants will receive frequency-filtered music alongside cognitive processing therapy. Studies have found that patients who received music therapy had significantly lower PTSD symptom scores compared to those who did not. This suggests that frequency-filtered music might calm the body and mind, reducing PTSD symptoms. By altering the music's frequencies, it may better engage the brain's stress relief pathways, potentially enhancing the effects of cognitive processing therapy. While more research is needed, early findings are promising for using music as a supportive treatment for PTSD. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with PTSD who will undergo cognitive processing therapy. Participants must be willing to listen to music before therapy sessions, complete interviews and questionnaires, have their arousal monitored, and use a Fitbit device with smartphone surveys for 4 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria

I can attend daily therapy sessions for two weeks at specified locations.

I have been diagnosed with PTSD or have symptoms close to PTSD, including feeling extremely alert or easily startled.

I can stand up from a chair without help.

Exclusion Criteria

An ongoing stressor or condition deemed by the investigators to place the participant at risk for injury or a poor outcome (e.g., undergoing disability evaluation, undergoing a medical board evaluation to be medically discharged from the military, pending negative administrative or legal actions)

Use of hearing aids

An allergy that would prevent wearing adhesive for durations of 2 hours or less

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive 10 daily sessions of cognitive processing therapy and listen to 15 minutes of music before each session

2 weeks

10 visits (in-person)

Monitoring

Participants wear a Fitbit device and complete smartphone surveys

4 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including clinical interviews and questionnaires

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Frequency Filtered Music

Trial Overview The study tests if frequency filtered music enhances the effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy in reducing PTSD symptoms. It compares two groups: one listens to filtered classical music and the other unfiltered music before daily therapy sessions over ten days.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Frequency Filtered Music Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants will receive 10 daily sessions of cognitive processing therapy (2 weeks total) and listen to 15 minutes of frequency filtered classical music before each therapy session (2.5 hours music listening total).

Group II: Unfiltered Music Active Control 2 Interventions

Participants will receive 10 daily sessions of cognitive processing therapy (2 weeks total) and listen to 15 minutes of classical music with no frequency filtering before each therapy session (2.5 hours music listening total).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ohio State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

891

Recruited

2,659,000+

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

500+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 126 mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units, preferred music playlists were analyzed to understand their impact on managing anxiety through patient-directed music listening interventions.

The findings highlight the importance of music selection in therapeutic interventions, suggesting that involving a board-certified music therapist can enhance the effectiveness of music listening protocols in clinical settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysis of Preferred Music of Mechanically Ventilated Intensive Care Unit Patients Enrolled in a Randomized Controlled Trial. Heiderscheit, A., Johnson, K., Chlan, LL.[2023]

In a randomized controlled trial involving 170 emergency department patients, listening to purpose-designed music or sound compositions significantly reduced self-rated anxiety levels by 10%-15% compared to control groups that received no soundtrack or simulated ambient noise.

The most effective interventions included electroacoustic musical compositions and audio field recordings, both of which led to significant decreases in anxiety, highlighting the potential of sound therapy in clinical settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Original sound compositions reduce anxiety in emergency department patients: a randomised controlled trial. Weiland, TJ., Jelinek, GA., Macarow, KE., et al.[2019]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06925867

A Frequency-Modulated Music Intervention to Enhance ... Study Overview · Does the addition of frequency filtered music reduce PTSD symptoms for patients receiving cognitive processing therapy for PTSD?

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-stress-disorders-traumatic-2025-1fc8f

Frequency Filtered Music for PTSD Research shows that music therapy, which includes methods like Trauma-focused Music and Imagery, can help reduce PTSD symptoms and improve well-being.

3. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/310058/a-frequency-modulated-music-intervention-to-enhance-cognitive-processing-therapy-cpt-for-ptsd/

A Frequency-Modulated Music Intervention to Enhance ... The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the addition of frequency filtered music (Safe and Sound Protocol) to daily cognitive processing ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11036901/

Efficacy and acceptability of music therapy for post- ... The post-treatment PTSD symptom scores were significantly lower in the music therapy group than the inactive control group (SMD = −1.64, P < .

5. integratedlistening.com integratedlistening.com/blog/3-8-million-department-of-defense-grant-awarded-for-groundbreaking-study-on-safe-and-sound-protocol-in-ptsd-treatment/

$3.8 Million Department of Defense Grant Awarded for ... This study seeks to determine whether frequency-filtered music as an adjunctive therapy can significantly reduce these symptoms and enhance ...