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Musical Training to Enhance Resilience of Underprivileged School-aged Children

This is a multi-centre randomised controlled trial aims to examine the effects of a group-based gamified instrumental musical training in enhancing resilience (primary outcome), reducing psychological distress (depressive symptoms and anxiety), enhancing self-esteem, and improving HRQoL (secondary outcomes) among underprivileged school-aged children at risk of mental health problems (depression and anxiety) during a 12-month follow-up.

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07165925

PhaseNA

Enrollment174

SponsorChinese University of Hong Kong

Age8 Years

SexALL

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Conditions studied

Resilience, Depressive Symptom, Anxiety

About this study

Interventions

Behavioral: Gamified music training — Instrumental musical training will progress from basic (playing simple notes) to advanced levels (playing an entire song). Key training elements will include fundamental music knowledge and skills, music improvisation, rhythm, and pitch identification exercises. In particular, the core concepts of resilience will be incorporated into the training process through various gamified music activities.
Behavioral: Active placebo intervention — Participants in the active placebo control group will participate in weekly 1-hour group-based indoor community leisure activities for 6 months. These activities will include (i) drawing, (ii) drama workshops, (iii) cartoon film screenings, (iv) handcraft workshops, (v) board games, and (vi) exercise classes. Each activity will span for four sessions, that is, totally 24 sessions and will be delivered by trained staff at the study centres of the collaborating non-governmental organisations.

Primary outcomes

Resilience (Change from baseline to 12-month post-intervention)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * Hong Kong Chinese children aged 8-12 years. * Able to read Chinese and communicate in Cantonese/Mandarin. * From low-income families. * Have a risk of mental health problems, specifically depression and/or anxiety (determined through screening during the recruitment process using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children, with a cut-off score of ≥16 indicating a high risk of depression, and/or the State Anxiety Scale for Children, with scores between 36 and 60 indicating a significant level of anxiety) Exclusion Criteria: * Have chronic health conditions, cognitive and learning difficulties * if they or their siblings are currently receiving or have received any music-based interventions before the study.

Study locations

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 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.