Mechanisms of Active Music Engagement to Improve Health Outcomes of Children With Cancer and Parents

Summary

Music therapy, a frequently used arts-based therapy, has become standard palliative care in many pediatric and adult hospitals; however, few studies have examined the mechanisms by which music therapy interventions work. This study investigates behavioral, social, and psychological factors that may explain how an Active Music Engagement (AME) intervention (i.e., an interactive, music-based play intervention) works to manage emotional distress and improve positive health outcomes in parents and young children with cancer during treatment. Findings will provide scientific and clinically relevant practice knowledge to guide delivery of music therapy as a complementary therapy.

Conditions

• Cancer

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Active Music Engagement

Three 45-minute sessions with a board-certified music therapist delivered over three days. Sessions are delivered in a private setting during in-patient hospitalization. During the first visit, parent and child will receive information on common responses of young children to cancer treatment and how parents can use music play activities to support their child during treatment. The music therapist will lead parent and child in a variety of music play activities. Parent and child will receive a music kit that includes items such as hand-held rhythm instruments, puppets, and a music CD. During the second and third visit the music therapist will lead parent and child child through the music play activities, answer questions, and make suggestions for using these activities in the hospital and at home.

BEHAVIORAL

Audio Storybooks

Three 45-minute sessions with a board-certified music therapist delivered over three days. Sessions are delivered in a private setting during in-patient hospitalization. Each session children/parents will choose and listen to one of three illustrated children's books with audio recorded narration.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

  collaborator OTHER

• Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City

  collaborator OTHER

• M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

  collaborator OTHER

• Indiana University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Sheri L Robb, PhD · Indiana University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

3 Years

Max Age

8 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2016-09-26

Primary Completion

2020-04-06

Completion

2020-04-06

Countries

• United States

Study Locations