FALCO Study Evaluating Music Therapy and Standard Treatment for Adults with Substance Use Disorder

What this Trial Is About

Substance use disorder SUD is a serious condition linked to a high global health burden, with limited approved drug treatments available. This research explores the long-term effects of music therapy as a non-drug approach to support people with SUD. The study is a large, international randomized clinical trial comparing different music therapy methods alongside usual treatment. It aims to see how these therapies affect addiction severity one year after starting. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups an Active Music Group AMG where they actively make music in sessions led by trained music therapists a Music Listening Group MLG where they listen to music in group sessions or Treatment as Usual TAU, which includes local standard care that may involve various therapies or medications. Both AMG and MLG sessions happen weekly and last up to 90 minutes, while all participants continue any usual care provided locally. During the study, participants will be assessed using various tools at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years to measure addiction severity, recovery, substance use, quality of life, depression, motivation, craving, social connectedness, cognition, creativity, and brain health. Additional monitoring includes public records for employment, hospitalizations, criminal records, and survival for up to 10 years. This comprehensive follow-up helps understand the long-term impact of music therapy on SUD.

Fighting Addictions, Improving Lives: COmprehensive Drug Rehabilitation With Music