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NCT Number: NCT07769099

Musical Training: Promoting Brain Function in Children Who Have Survived Brain Tumours

This study aims to understand whether learning music can help improve brain function and quality of life in children who have recovered from brain tumours. A total of 236 children will join the study. Some of them will receive regular medical care, while others will take part in a music training program using the ukulele. The music program will last for one year and includes both in-person group classes and online individual sessions. The investigators will assess how well the children can think, remember, and focus before and after the training. The investigators will also ask about their daily life and well-being. This study hopes to show that music training can be a fun and helpful way to support recovery in childhood brain tumour survivors.

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Key information

Conditions

Cancer Childhood Brain Diseases Brain Neoplasms Brain Tumor Central Nervous System Diseases Central Nervous System Neoplasms Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Neoplasms

Age range

7 year–16 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Location contact

Vivian Yuen

CONTACT

+852 35133193

About this study

This randomized controlled trial aims to determine the efficacy of musical training in promoting neuroplasticity and enhancing the quality of life in children who have survived brain tumours. A total of 236 participants will be recruited from Hong Kong Children's Hospital and Children's Cancer Foundation centres. Participants in the intervention group will receive 52 weeks of musical training, consisting of 36 face-to-face small group sessions and 16 online individual sessions, while the control group will receive usual care. The ukulele, chosen for its light weight, simple chords, and cheerful sound, will be used as the training instrument due to its accessibility and appeal to children. Neuroplasticity will be assessed using a battery of standardized instruments, including the Test of This study aims to explore whether musical training can help improve brain function and quality of life in children who have survived brain tumours. A total of 236 children will be recruited and randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive 52 weeks of ukulele-based musical training, which includes 36 face-to-face group sessions held at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and 16 online individual sessions conducted at home. The control group will receive usual care only. The ukulele was chosen for its light weight, simple chords, and child-friendly sound, making it ideal for young learners. To support families who may not be familiar with online tools, the investigators will provide user guides, video tutorials, and technical support. The study will assess participants' brain function-including nonverbal intelligence, attention, memory, processing speed, and executive functioning-as well as their daily functioning and quality of life using standardized tests and questionnaires. These assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention and at follow-up. The investigators hope the results will show that musical training is a fun and effective way to support the neurological and emotional recovery of children after brain tumour treatment.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Completed cancer treatment at least 2 months previously,
  • Aged 7-16 years,
  • Able to speak Cantonese and read Chinese
  • Have had no musical training since their cancer diagnosis

Exclusion criteria

  • Have cancer recurrence or a second malignancy

Treatment and study plan

Musical Training Program

Other

52 weeks of musical training, consisting of (1) 36 weekly group based, face-to-face sessions, and (2) 16 weeks of weekly online individual sessions. Each lasting 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Primary outcomes

  1. Nonverbal Intelligence Score as Measured by the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence, Fourth Edition (TONI-4)

    Time frame: At baseline, 12 months immediately after the completion of the intervention, and 6 months after the completion of the intervention

    The Test of Nonverbal Intelligence, Fourth Edition (TONI-4) is a language-free measure of nonverbal intelligence, abstract reasoning, and problem-solving.The Index score (mean = 100, SD = 15) will be reported. Higher scores indicate better nonverbal intelligence.

  2. Digit Span Score (Forward + Backward)

    Time frame: At baseline, 12 months immediately after the completion of the intervention, and 6 months after the completion of the intervention

    Digit Span (Digits Forward + Digits Backward) assesses attention and working memory. The total score will be reported. Higher scores indicate better attention and working memory performance.

  3. Memory Score as Measured by the Hong Kong List Learning Test, Second Edition (HKLLT-2)

    Time frame: At baseline, 12 months immediately after the completion of the intervention, and 6 months after the completion of the intervention

    The Hong Kong List Learning Test, Second Edition (HKLLT-2) assesses verbal memory. The total recall / delayed recall score will be reported. Higher scores indicate better memory performance.

  4. Processing Speed / Executive Function as Measured by the Children's Color Trails Test (CCTT)

    Time frame: At baseline, 12 months immediately after the completion of the intervention, and 6 months after the completion of the intervention

    The Children's Color Trails Test (CCTT) assesses sustained attention, sequencing, and executive function. Trail 1 involves connecting numbers (1-15) in sequence, while Trail 2 adds alternating between two colours. Processing speed is estimated from Trail 1 time, while the interference index (Trail 2 minus Trail 1) reflects executive functions, including inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility.

  5. Executive Function as Measured by the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF-2)

    Time frame: At baseline, 12 months immediately after the completion of the intervention, and 6 months after the completion of the intervention

    The Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function-2 is an assessment of executive function behaviours. A Global Executive Composite (GEC) T-score (or specific index T-scores) will be given. Higher T-scores mean more executive dysfunction.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Quality of life scores of the child participants

    Time frame: At baseline, 12 months immediately after the completion of the intervention, and 6 months after the completion of the intervention

    Measured by The Chinese version of the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Joyce Chung

CONTACT

[email protected]

+852 27666322

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Efficacy of a Musical Training Programme in Promoting Neuroplasticity in Children Who Have Survived Brain Tumours: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2029
Study completion
2029
First posted
Aug 17, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 17, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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