Music Therapy for Schizophrenia
(SING_R33 Trial)
Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
Overseen ByPhilip R Corlett, PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Recruiting
Sponsor: Yale University
No Placebo Group
Approved in 1 jurisdiction
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?This trial tests a musical intervention called SING for people with psychotic illnesses who hear voices and have social difficulties. The goal is to see if musical activities can help improve their symptoms by changing how their brain processes experiences. Singing has been used in language rehabilitation for decades, with various studies suggesting its potential benefits for neurological and speech disorders.
Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?
No, you don't need to stop your current medications. You must have at least 2 weeks of stable doses of psychotropic medications before participating.
What data supports the idea that Music Therapy for Schizophrenia is an effective treatment?
The available research shows that music therapy can be an effective treatment for schizophrenia. One study found that group music activities significantly reduced the severity of psychotic symptoms in patients with acute schizophrenia. Another study showed that music therapy improved social interaction and reduced negative symptoms in patients with residual schizophrenia. Additionally, a systematic review indicated that music therapy can help manage symptoms like depression and anxiety, improve social and cognitive functioning, and enhance quality of life. Compared to other treatments, music therapy is beneficial because it has no side effects and is relatively inexpensive.
12345What safety data exists for music therapy in treating schizophrenia?
The available research indicates that music therapy, including various forms such as active, receptive, and combined, has been studied for its effects on schizophrenia. The studies reviewed suggest that music therapy can improve symptoms and quality of life without side effects. A systematic review and meta-analysis found significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life, and a randomized controlled trial reported no side effects, highlighting music therapy as a safe and potentially effective adjunct treatment for schizophrenia.
12567Is music therapy a promising treatment for schizophrenia?
Yes, music therapy is a promising treatment for schizophrenia. It helps reduce negative symptoms, improves social interaction, and increases interest in activities. Patients also find it relaxing and it helps them express emotions better. Plus, it has no side effects and is affordable.
14589Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for individuals who hear voices daily and have been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-V. They must exhibit moderate hallucinations, be able to give informed consent, interact well with the study team, and likely complete the study.Inclusion Criteria
Voice hearing patients meeting diagnostic criteria for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-V psychotic disorder
I hear voices daily.
PANSS P3 (Hallucinations item) greater than 3
+1 more
Exclusion Criteria
My mental health medication dose has been stable for at least 2 weeks.
I do not speak English.
I have a serious medical condition or had a head injury with symptoms.
+5 more
Participant Groups
The SING trial tests how different forms of musical intervention affect people with schizophrenia. Participants are randomly assigned to create music, perform karaoke, listen to pop music or curate playlists. The impact on hallucinations, social learning, and language use is measured.
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Musical InterventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will work together in a group with other voice hearers, making music with a trained facilitator for 4 weekly sessions
Musical Intervention is already approved in United States for the following indications:
🇺🇸 Approved in United States as Musical Intervention for:
- Psychotic illnesses
- Conditioned Hallucinations
- Social Reinforcement Learning
- Language Use
Find a Clinic Near You
Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of MedicineNew Haven, CT
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Yale UniversityLead Sponsor
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)Collaborator
References
[Meta-analysis of assisted music therapy for chronic schizophrenia]. [2006]To evaluate the effect of assisted music therapy for chronic schizophrenia.
Influence of Dosage and Type of Music Therapy in Symptom Management and Rehabilitation for Individuals with Schizophrenia. [2019]The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the influence of dosage, type (active, receptive, or combined), and format (individual or group) of music therapy for individuals with schizophrenia. With the terms "music*" and "schizophreni*," six research databases were searched: CINAHL, EMBASE, Music Index, PsycInfo, Pubmed, and RILM. The search was limited to studies written in English, peer-reviewed, and published between 1991 and 2015. Seventeen articles met the stated criteria. Dosage of music therapy ranged from 20 to 9,720 minutes. Three types of music therapy were delivered: active, receptive, or combined, and therapy was implemented via individual or group format. Depending on the dosage, type, and format, music therapy improved psychotic symptom management, depression and anxiety management, social and cognitive functioning, behavior, and quality of life of the participants. Dosage had a greater impact on the effects of music therapy compared to type and format. Studies that implemented a combination of active and receptive music therapy were more likely to produce significant improvements in outcomes compared to the studies that implemented the other types of music therapy. However, studies using combined type provided higher dosage of the intervention (e.g., more minutes of intervention exposure). This systematic review can be used to guide future research on and clinical applications for music therapy in this population. Future studies might also investigate the interaction of demographic characteristics or severity of illness with dosage and type on effects of music therapy.
Effects of group music intervention on psychiatric symptoms and depression in patient with schizophrenia. [2013]To examine the effects of a group music therapy on psychiatric symptoms and depression for patient with schizophrenia in a psychiatric nursing home.
Effect of group music activity as an adjunctive therapy on psychotic symptoms in patients with acute schizophrenia. [2010]The effect of group music activity as an adjunctive therapy on psychotic symptoms was evaluated in 67 patients with schizophrenia from an acute psychiatric ward of a regional hospital in south Taiwan. A pretest-posttest, two-group repeated measures design was used. The experimental group received 50-minute sessions of group musical activity five times a week for 2 weeks in addition to standard care. The severity of psychotic symptoms was assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Group music activity significantly reduced the scores in total and subscales of the BPRS in patients with acute schizophrenia.
Rehabilitative effect of music therapy for residual schizophrenia. A one-month randomised controlled trial in Shanghai. [2008]Seventy-six in-patients who had the residual subtype of schizophrenia were randomly assigned to a treatment group or a control group. Both groups received standard medication as prescribed by their treating physicians, but the treatment group also received a one-month course of music therapy that included both passive listening to music and active participation in the singing of popular songs with other patients. Outcome was evaluated by four nurses using Chinese versions of the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms and the in-patient version of the World Health Organization's Disability Assessment Scale. Music therapy significantly diminished patients' negative symptoms, increased their ability to converse with others, reduced their social isolation, and increased their level of interest in external events. As music therapy has no side-effects and is relatively inexpensive, it merits further evaluation and wider application.
The effectiveness of adjunct music therapy for patients with schizophrenia: A meta-analysis. [2021]To evaluate the efficacy of adjunct music therapy on patients with schizophrenia, we conducted a meta-analysis of currently available randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials. Eight electronic databases (CNKI, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Psychology and behavioural Sciences Collection, and Medline) were systematically searched from inception to January 2020. Standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) values were used to evaluate the effects of music therapy. Finally, we selected eighteen studies comprising 1,212 participants comparing with control conditions. The meta-analysis demonstrated that adjunct music therapy significantly improved total symptoms (SMD = -0.48, 95%CI: -0.74 to -0.22), negative symptoms (SMD=-0.56, 95%CI: -0.72 to -0.40), depression symptoms (SMD = -0.35, 95% CI: -0.54 to -0.17), and quality of life (SMD = 0.35, 95%CI: 0.07 to 0.62) in people with schizophrenia compared with the control group. In addition, the meta-analysis indicated no publication bias for total symptoms, negative symptoms, and positive symptoms. The sensitivity analysis showed that the result was reliable. But the quality of evidence is still low, more well-designed studies with larger sample size and high quality are needed to confirm the efficiency of adjunct music therapy in treating schizophrenia.
A controlled trial investigating the effect of music therapy during an acute psychotic episode. [2011]To investigate the effects of music therapy, as an adjunct to pharmacological therapy during an acute psychotic episode.
[Possibilities for inclusion of group music therapeutic methods in the treatment of psychotic patients]. [2006]Four types of music therapy (listening, singing, dancing and playing instruments) which can be combined to obtain a "graduated group-centred music therapy" are investigated in regard of their methodological and didactical organisation and their effects on a group of schizophrenics. Each of the therapy types acts in a different way on the variables "anxiety" and "activity". It seems possible to influence these variables during group-centered treatment and to lead the group towards modes of communication and behaviour that are more appropriate to reality.
[Music therapy evaluated by schizophrenic patients]. [2006]Music therapy is presented as an integral part of the therapeutic program of an open reception ward at a state-funded psychiatric hospital. The target group for music therapy comprises schizophrenic patients whose primary psychopathological symptoms are characterized by basic disorders, autistic withdrawal, anergia and limited means of verbal communication. A sample of 30 schizophrenic patients selected for music therapy is described. The subjective evaluation and rating of the music therapy was registered using a specially developed questionnaire. The primary results are: 1. Music therapy has a high level of subjective acceptance among patients. 2. No negative effects are recorded despite the therapy being introduced in the post-acute phase. 3. The positive therapeutic effects quoted are relaxation, activation, reduced anxiety, easier contact-making, and improved opportunities for emotional expression. The duration of the effects is limited. 4. The training-related concept and the clearly structuring behavior of the group leader are given a positive rating by the patients.