Actively Recruiting
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
60
Participants Needed
7
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
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
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
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or remote) for eligibility assessment
Duration - Approximately 12 weeks
Participants receive weekly 60-minute music therapy sessions or therapist-attention music education sessions for cognitive difficulties, with homework assignments between sessions to reinforce skills and concepts.
12 weekly sessions (remote via telehealth)
Duration - Up to 1 year
Participants complete assessments to evaluate the feasibility and effects of the intervention after the treatment period.
Periodic assessments as scheduled by the study team
Trial Site Locations
Total: 7 locations
1
Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (All protocol activities)
Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States, 07920
Actively Recruiting
2
Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (All protocol activities)
Middletown, New Jersey, United States, 07748
Actively Recruiting
3
Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (All protocol activities)
Montvale, New Jersey, United States, 07645
Actively Recruiting
4
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Suffolk - Commack (All protocol activities)
Commack, New York, United States, 11725
Actively Recruiting
5
Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (All protocol activities)
Harrison, New York, United States, 10604
Actively Recruiting
6
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (All protocol activities)
New York, New York, United States, 10065
Actively Recruiting
7
Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (All protocol activities)
Uniondale, New York, United States, 11553
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
K
Kevin Liou, MD
J
Jun Mao, MD, MSCE
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
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