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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04573101

EEG Responses to Arabic Music Scales

Recent studies showed that various factors can contribute to the efficiency of a music therapy such as the type of music used, the type of instrument, the ethnicity, musical preference of the subjects and many others. Investigators noticed that most of studies and clinical trials, while acknowledging the importance of ethnicity and musical preferences, use the Western Music type in their investigations and practice. While in the Middle East, Music Therapy played a tremendous role in the 10th century since the "scales theory" of the famous Scientists El Farabi and Avicenna, very little countries of the Middle East are investing in scientific studies using Arabic Music as a therapeutic tool. This study will be an electroencephalogram (EEG)-based investigation on correlations of multiple factors that can influence the cortical responses of the subject to the music and self-reported state of emotion and anxiety.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Ghizlane Bendriss

Doha, 24144, Qatar

About this study

This is the first clinical study involving Music in Qatar and the Gulf region, and the first study to explore Arab Music Scales using a combination of EEG and self-reported assessements.

Using EEG, investigators will analyze the full brain activity of brainwaves produced by up to 100 subjects in response to the audio musical stimuli. 24 different audio recordings have been designed to investigate on different acoustic cues:

  • with versus without quartertones
  • known music versus improvisation
  • Maqam Saba (sad) versus maqam Kurd (happy)
  • 3 different Middle Eastern instruments: Ney, Oud and Qanun
  • Two pitches: from Re or from Sol

The presentation of the audio stimuli clips will be randomized by the SuperLab5 software and EEG brainwaves will be recorded using the Power Lab (AD instrument). Between every audio clip, recording will be paused to ask the subjects to self-report on their emotional and anxiety states using a self-evaluation questionnaire. Subjects will be randomly assigned to morning of afternoon sessions of recording.

Using bioinformatic tools, investigators will perform a correlation study between EEG results, emotional self-report from the PANAS-X questionnaire, as well as answers to another questionnaire asking for their age, gender, ethnicity, right or left handedness, musical preferences, and if the subject plays an instrument.

The outcomes will have direct applications on the development of personalized Music Therapy in the region for treatment and management of mental health conditions, neurodegenerative diseases and other conditions that are of high prevalence in the region.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age: 18 years old to or above (might include pregnant women)
  • Living in Qatar
  • Understand either English or arabic

Exclusion criteria

  • Individuals not meeting the inclusion criteria
  • Individuals with auditory impairments
  • Individuals with any known neurological condition (including epilepsy, Alzheimer, Parkinson, Autism etc)
  • Individuals not able to come to the site (WCMQ).
  • Adults not able to consent

Treatment and study plan

Music listening / EEG recording

Other

Participants listen to 24 different audio clips of 1 min long each, and select emotion in between. EEG is recorded while participants are listening. Participants select the emotion that best describes their feeling from Table 1 of the PANAS-X. https://www2.psychology.uiowa.edu/faculty/clark/panas-x.pdf

Primary outcomes

  1. Quantification of brain waves

    Time frame: During the intervention (an average of 30 minutes)

    Relative power of each of the brainwaves (alpha, beta, gamma, theta, delta).

  2. Quantification of selected emotions

    Time frame: immediately before each intervention

    Count of every emotion (selected by participant from the provided Table).

  3. Quantification of selected emotions

    Time frame: immediately after each intervention

    Count of every emotion (selected by participant from the provided Table)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar

Other

Registry information

Official study title

An EEG-based Exploration of the Variables Affecting Cortical Responses to Arabic Music Scales for a Personalised and Effective Music Therapy in the Middle East: a Clinical Study

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Oct 5, 2020
Registry last updated
Oct 4, 2022

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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