Film-Based Music Therapy With AI-Generated Verbal Guidance for Anxiety in Young Adults

NCT07359950 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: USM-JEPeM-22120811USM/JEPeM/22120811
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 123
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to examine whether music-based relaxation combined with different types of verbal guidance can help reduce anxiety and improve emotional well-being in young adults. University students often experience high levels of stress related to academic demands and daily life. Music listening is commonly used as a simple and safe method to promote relaxation. In addition to music itself, verbal guidance during music listening may influence how individuals imagine, interpret, and emotionally respond to the music experience. In this study, participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups. One group listens to music accompanied by verbal guidance generated by a large language model and designed to reflect Eastern aesthetic imagery. A second group listens to music with standard relaxation guidance commonly used in music therapy. A third group listens to relaxing music without any verbal guidance. Each participant takes part in a single music listening session lasting approximately 25-30 minutes. Levels of anxiety, positive and negative emotions, and heart rate are measured before and after the music session. By comparing the results across the three groups, this study seeks to better understand whether culturally adapted verbal guidance can enhance the effects of music-based relaxation for young adults.

Conditions

Anxiety; Psychological Stress; Emotional Regulation

Keywords

Music therapy; Verbal suggestions; Artificial intelligence; Large language models; Cultural adaptation; Eastern aesthetic imagery; University students; Heart rate variability

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in State Anxiety Score

  State anxiety is assessed using the State subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), a validated self-report questionnaire consisting of 20 items. Scores range from 20 to 80, with higher scores indicating greater state anxiety. The primary outcome is the change in STAI-S score from before to immediately after the intervention.

  Immediately before and immediately after the single 25-30 minute music listening session

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Positive Affect Score

  Immediately before and immediately after the single 25-30 minute music listening session

• Change in Negative Affect Score

  Immediately before and immediately after the single 25-30 minute music listening session

• Change in Heart Rate

  Immediately before and immediately after the single 25-30 minute music listening session

Study Arms (3)

Eastern Imagery Music Therapy Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm listen to a curated music program accompanied by verbal guidance generated by a large language model. The verbal guidance is designed to evoke Eastern aesthetic imagery and is delivered during a single 25-30 minute music listening session.

Behavioral: Music Listening With AI-Generated Eastern Imagery Verbal Guidance

Standard Music Therapy Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants assigned to this arm listen to music accompanied by standard relaxation-oriented verbal guidance commonly used in music therapy practice. The intervention is delivered during a single 25-30 minute music listening session.

Behavioral: Music Listening With Standard Verbal Guidance

Music-Only Relaxation Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants assigned to this arm listen to relaxing music without any verbal guidance during a single 25-30 minute session.

Behavioral: Music-Only Relaxation

Interventions

Music Listening With AI-Generated Eastern Imagery Verbal Guidance BEHAVIORAL

Participants listen to a curated music program accompanied by verbal guidance generated by a large language model. The verbal guidance is designed to evoke Eastern aesthetic imagery and is delivered by a researcher during a single 25-30 minute music listening session in a quiet setting.

Eastern Imagery Music Therapy Group

Music Listening With Standard Verbal Guidance BEHAVIORAL

Participants listen to music accompanied by standard relaxation-oriented verbal guidance commonly used in music therapy practice. The guidance is delivered during a single 25-30 minute music listening session in a quiet setting.

Standard Music Therapy Group

Music-Only Relaxation BEHAVIORAL

Participants listen to relaxing music without any verbal guidance during a single 25-30 minute session in a quiet setting.

Music-Only Relaxation Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18 and 25 years at the time of enrollment.
• Currently enrolled as a university student.
• Able to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent.
• Willing to participate in a single music listening session lasting approximately 25-30 minutes.
• Able to complete self-report questionnaires before and after the intervention.

You may not qualify if:

• Self-reported history of diagnosed psychiatric disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders).
• Current use of psychotropic medications that may significantly affect mood or anxiety.
• Self-reported hearing impairment that could interfere with music listening.
• Self-reported cardiovascular conditions or other medical conditions that could affect heart rate measurements.
• Participation in other psychological or behavioral intervention studies within the past 30 days.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Wen Li: lead

Study Sites (1)

Aba Teachers College

Aba, Sichuan, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Stress, Psychological; Emotional Regulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Self-Control; Social Behavior

Study Officials

• Wen Li, PhD

  Aba Teachers College

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This study is conducted as an open-label trial. Due to the nature of the music-based interventions and verbal guidance, neither participants nor investigators are blinded to group assignment.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: Participants are randomly assigned to one of three parallel groups and receive a single music-based intervention according to group assignment.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 14, 2026
• First Posted: January 22, 2026
• Study Start: October 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 30, 2026
• Study Completion: January 30, 2026
• Last Updated: February 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

CN (1)