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NCT Number: NCT07729384

A Study of Strengthening Teen Brain Resilience Using Music During Cancer Treatment

This clinical trial tests the feasibility and acceptability of the Strengthening Teen Brain Resilience Using Music (STRUM) intervention to improve radiation induced cognitive decline for adolescents undergoing radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Adolescents treated with radiation therapy for cancer often experience persistent cognitive deficits and reduced brain resilience or the ability to preserve cognitive and emotional functioning despite stressors. Musical instrument training has been shown to enhance memory, academic skills, and emotional well-being in youth. Although guitars are often the most preferred instrument, ukuleles offer greater accessibility due to their simplicity, affordability, and suitability for younger users. The STRUM intervention consists of virtual active music therapy ukulele lessons, which may be a feasible and acceptable way to improve radiation induced cognitive decline for adolescents undergoing radiation therapy for cancer treatment.

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Key information

Conditions

Childhood Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm Childhood Malignant Solid Neoplasm Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm Malignant Solid Neoplasm

Age range

12 year–17 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Mayo Clinic in Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona, 85259, United States

Location contact

C. Robert Bennett, PhD, RN

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Robert Bennett, PhD, RN

CONTACT

480-301-4394

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 12-17 years at the time of enrollment
  • Receiving initial radiation therapy (RT) for cancer treatment with curative intent at the Mayo Clinic Arizona
  • Able to provide assent
  • Able to read and write in English
  • Have access to an electronic device with videoconferencing capability

Exclusion criteria

  • Less than three-month prognosis
  • Past history of RT
  • Self-reported visual, hearing, or cognitive impairment impeding the ability to complete the STRUM intervention
  • Prior receipt of ukulele or guitar lessons
  • Actively receiving musical instrument lessons

Treatment and study plan

interview

Other

Ancillary studies

Music Therapy

Procedure

Attend STRUM sessions

Survey Administration

Other

Ancillary studies

Primary outcomes

  1. Percentage of eligible participants who consent to participate in this study (feasibility)

    Time frame: At time of enrollment

    Feasibility defined as achieving a ≥ 70% consent rate among eligible participants.

  2. Proportion of STRUM sessions completed (feasibility)

    Time frame: Up to 10 weeks

    Participants will receive 10 weekly 30-minute virtual ukulele lessons over ten weeks. Basic descriptive statistical analyses will be performed.

  3. Average weekly practice minutes

    Time frame: Up to 10 weeks

    Assessed by patient self-report. Participants will be encouraged to practice their skills independently for at least 90 minutes per week. Basic descriptive statistical analyses will be performed.

  4. Percentage of participants who complete ≥ 90% of the measures at each timepoint (feasibility)

    Time frame: Baseline, week 6, week 12, week 20

    Basic descriptive statistical analyses will be performed.

  5. Acceptability of the Strengthening Teen Brain Resilience Using Music (STRUM) intervention

    Time frame: Approximately 2 weeks following end of intervention (week 12)

    Defined as mean Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM) score of ≥ 3/4, supported by exit interview feedback. Basic descriptive statistical analyses will be performed. The AIM is a study-specific measure that consists of 4 questions, each answered on a scale of 1 (completely disagree) to 5 (completely agree). Higher scores indicate greater acceptability.

  6. Participant perspective on meaningfulness of the STRUM intervention

    Time frame: Approximately 2 weeks following end of intervention (week 12)

    Assessed by exit interview feedback. Participants will complete semi-structured exit interviews (approximately 30-minute duration). Exit interview transcripts will be analyzed and coded using thematic analyses. Thematic findings will be used to refine the intervention design and delivery.

  7. Change in brain resilience

    Time frame: Baseline, week 6, week 12, week 20

    Assessed by cognitive testing using the BrainCheck Assess™ digital platform. Each testing session should take approximately 15 minutes. Standard aggregate scores range from 0-200 with lower scores generally suggesting greater cognitive impairment.

Study contacts

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

Robert Bennett, PhD, RN

CONTACT

[email protected]

480-301-4394

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Mayo Clinic

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Strengthening Teen Brain Resilience Using Music (STRUM) During Cancer Treatment: A Pilot Feasibility Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Jul 27, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 27, 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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