What is this study trying to find out about cognitive difficulties in blood cancer survivors?

This study is evaluating whether telehealth music therapy and music education can help improve cognitive function and reduce symptoms like anxiety and fatigue in blood cancer survivors. The research aims to find out if these interventions are practical and beneficial for patients experiencing cancer-related cognitive dysfunction. The study is led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Who may be eligible for this blood cancer clinical trial?

Adults aged 18 or older diagnosed with lymphoma, leukemia, or myeloma may be eligible. Participants should have stable disease or no evidence of disease and be able to complete assessments in English. People who have recently undergone certain treatments or have recent music therapy experience may not qualify. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this blood cancer clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the study sessions and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. Personal expenses such as travel may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered. Participants should plan accordingly for any additional costs.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 18Years +

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

ID07052916

Pilot Trial of Telehealth Music Therapy for Cognitive Dysfunction in Hematologic Cancer Survivors PRELUDE

Led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · Updated on 2026-05-26

Participants Needed

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether telehealth music therapy can be a practical treatment for cognitive difficulties in adults who have survived blood cancers such as lymphoma, leukemia, or myeloma. The study also examines if music therapy and music education can help improve cognitive function as well as symptoms like anxiety, depression, and fatigue in this population. This pilot trial is exploring these effects in hematologic cancer survivors who experience cancer-related cognitive dysfunction. Participants will be assigned to one of three groups the experimental music therapy MT group, the therapist-attention music education TAME control group, or a wait-list control WLC group receiving usual care. Those in the MT and TAME groups will receive 12 weekly 60-minute sessions, with homework assignments between sessions to reinforce skills and concepts. The WLC group completes assessments during a 24-week wait period and can later choose to receive either the MT or TAME intervention. During the study, participants will complete assessments to measure the feasibility of telehealth music therapy, defined by completing at least 9 of the 12 sessions. Researchers will monitor cognitive function, mood symptoms, and fatigue. Participants must be able to complete study assessments independently and consent in English. The total study duration includes the intervention period and follow-up assessments to evaluate outcomes related to cancer-related cognitive dysfunction.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

A Music Therapy Study for Blood Cancer Survivors With Cognitive Difficulties

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years +

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

English proficient and aged 18 or older
Diagnosed with lymphoma, leukemia, or myeloma
Stable oncologic disease or no evidence of disease as confirmed by medical chart or oncology team
Score of less than 54 on the FACT-Cog PCI subscale
Minimum life expectancy of one year as assessed by clinician
Able to understand and complete all study assessments independently
Able to understand and provide signed informed consent in English

You will not qualify if you...

Less than 3 months since completion of surgery, radiation, induction chemotherapy, transplantation, or immunotherapy
On continuous therapy but less than 6 months completed
Received music therapy in the past year
Current or planned music training exceeding 6 months in the past 10 years
No access to an internet-connected device
Active suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or substance abuse
BOMC score of 10 or higher (indicative of dementia)
Uncorrectable visual, auditory, or motor impairments
Recent or planned changes in sedative, stimulant, or anti-cholinergic medications
Recent or planned interventions for cancer-related cognitive dysfunction within the past month or during the study period

Research Team

Kevin Liou, MD

Jun Mao, MD, MSCE

Not the Right Trial for You?

Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Already have an account? Log in here