Recruiting

Music Therapy's Impact on University Students' Social and Mental Health

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07024979

PhaseNA

Enrollment20

SponsorThe University of Hong Kong

Age18 Years

SexFEMALE

I'm interested View official listing

Conditions studied

Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety, Stress

About this study

In recent years, university education has become more challenging due to increased academic competition. A rising number of university students globally are currently being diagnosed with mental health problems, and previous research suggests that insufficient social support plays a significant role in the development of mental illnesses, such as symptoms of depression and anxiety. Music Therapy has been widely used in emotional regulation, offering a promising solution for people struggling with anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Research on the neural mechanisms underlying music therapy represents rapidly growing field of study. Hyperscanning is one of the useful neuroscience study methods, which is widely-used for study interbrain synchronization, refers to the simultaneous measurement of brain activity in two or more individuals who are interacting with each other. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of music therapy intervention in enhancing mental health and social skills of university students with depressed, anxious, and stress symptoms. This current study will adopt a 2-arm randomized controlled design comparing therapeutic songwriting (experimental condition) with non-therapeutic music listening and discussion (control condition). Upon screening for inclusion criteria, baseline data will be collected; and eligible participants will be randomized into either 4 individual music therapy sessions or non-therapeutic music listening and discussion sessions.

Interventions

Behavioral: Music Therapy Songwriting Intervention — The music therapy songwriting intervention is an active, client-centered music therapy approach in which the participant collaboratively create an original song with a professional music therapist. This evidence-based method combines: 1) lyric writing: the participant can express personal experience/emotions through guided lyric creation; 2) musical composition: the participant will choose or improvise their favorite melody, harmony, and rhythm with a music therapist; 3) therapeutic processing: discussion of song meaning and emotional connections between the participant and music therapist.

Primary outcomes

Change of Baseline Depression Anxiety Stress Level after 4 Sessions (Baseline (day 1), and the last session (up to 2 weeks, the 4th session))
Change of Baseline Social Connection Level after 4 Sessions (Baseline (day 1), and the last session (up to 2 weeks, the 4th session))
Interbrain Synchrony Level During 4 Sessions (EEG-based) (Baseline (day 1), the 2nd session (3 days after the first session), the 3rd session (at the beginning of the second week) , the 4th session (3 days after the 3rd session, up to two weeks).)
Change of Baseline Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Baseline (day 1), and the last session (up to 2 weeks, the 4th session))
Change of Baseline Perceived Stress Level (Baseline (day 1) and the last session (up to 2 weeks, the 4th session))

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * (1) adults who aged between 18-40 * (2) without any mental diagnosis * (3) able to speak and read Mandarin, Cantonese, or English * (4) moderate stress or problems in academic activities, problems in interpersonal relationships, or adaptability to college life. * (5) participants DASS-21 score \>= "Moderate" severity on each subscale (Depression \>= 14; Anxiety \>= 10; Stress \>= 19). Exclusion Criteria: * (1) has more than 10 consecutive years professional music training * (2) with chronic illness and taking medication * (3) with prior history of brain trauma or brain surgery * (4) wearing metal piercings or implants.

Study locations

2/F., The Hong Kong Jockey Club Building for Interdisciplinary Research, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.