Musical Training to Enhance Resilience of Underprivileged School-aged Children

Conditions studied

Resilience, Depressive Symptom, Anxiety

About this study

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.

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)