At a glance
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Biologic Mechanisms and Dosing of Active Music Engagement in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Parents
In Brief
A clinical study evaluating Active Music Engagement and Audio Storybooks for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Pediatric and Pediatric Cancer. Completed, enrolled 192 participants across 4 sites.
Detailed Summary
Music therapy has become a standard palliative care service in many pediatric and adult hospitals; however, a majority of music therapy research has focused on the use of music to improve psychosocial dimensions of health, without considering biological dimensions. This study builds on prior work examining the psychosocial mechanisms of action underlying an Active Music Engagement (AME) intervention, designed to help manage emotional distress and improve positive health outcomes in young children with cancer and parents, by examining its effects on biomarkers of stress and immune function. The purposes of this two group, randomized controlled trial are to examine biological mechanisms of effect and dose-response relationships of AME on child/parent stress during the consolidation phase of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) treatment. Specific aims are to: Aim 1. Establish whether AME lowers child and parent cortisol during ALL treatment. Aim 2. Examine cortisol as a mediator of AME effects on child and parent outcomes during ALL treatment. Aim 3 (exploratory). Examine the dose-response relationship of AME on child and parent cortisol during ALL treatment. Findings will provide a more holistic understanding about how active music interventions work to mitigate cancer-related stress and its potential to improve immune function, with direct implications for the evidence-based use of music to improve health.
Study Details
Timeline
Interventions
Weekly 45-minute sessions with a board-certified music therapist delivered during weekly clinic visits for the consolidation phase of ALL treatment. Children with standard risk ALL will receive 4 sessions over 4 weeks. Children with high risk ALL will receive 8 sessions over 8 weeks. Sessions are delivered in a private setting during regularly scheduled clinic appointments. During the first visit, parent and child will receive information on how they can use music play activities to help manage distress 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 subsequent visits the music therapist will lead parent and child through the music play activities, answer questions, and make suggestions for using these activities in the hospital and at home.
Weekly 45-minute sessions with a trained provider delivered during weekly clinic visits for the consolidation phase of ALL treatment. Children with standard risk ALL will receive 4 sessions over 4 weeks. Children with high risk ALL will receive 8 sessions over 8 weeks. Sessions are delivered in a private setting during regularly scheduled clinic appointments. Each session children/parents will choose and listen to one of three illustrated children's books with audio-recorded narration.