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

NCT07729384 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 25-014110NCI-2026-03943
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

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

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (7)

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

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

  At time of enrollment

• Proportion of STRUM sessions completed (feasibility)

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

  Up to 10 weeks

• Average weekly practice minutes

  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.

  Up to 10 weeks

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

  Basic descriptive statistical analyses will be performed.

  Baseline, week 6, week 12, week 20

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

  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.

  Approximately 2 weeks following end of intervention (week 12)

• Participant perspective on meaningfulness of the STRUM intervention

  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.

  Approximately 2 weeks following end of intervention (week 12)

• Change in brain resilience

  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.

  Baseline, week 6, week 12, week 20

Study Arms (1)

Supportive care (STRUM sessions)

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients receive a ukulele, tuner, and songbook and attend virtually delivered ukulele lessons over 30 minutes each, once weekly, for 10 weeks. Intervention sessions are structured with stair-stepping difficulty with each lesson concluding with learning a new song. Ten optional supplemental video-recorded lessons (approximately 15 minutes each) will be available for patients to view asynchronously and use for independent practice between weekly sessions. Patients are encouraged to practice their skills independently for at least 90 minutes per week. At the conclusion of the study, patients may attend an optional virtual "Encore Concert Event" remotely, featuring audio-video clips compiled from participants' lessons.

Other: Interview; Procedure: Music Therapy; Other: Survey Administration

Interventions

Interview OTHER

Ancillary studies

Supportive care (STRUM sessions)

Music Therapy PROCEDURE

Attend STRUM sessions

Supportive care (STRUM sessions)

Survey Administration OTHER

Ancillary studies

Supportive care (STRUM sessions)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 12 Years - 17 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Mayo Clinic: lead

Study Sites (1)

Mayo Clinic in Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona, 85259, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Interviews as Topic; Music Therapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Data Collection; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms; Quality of Health Care; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Public Health; Environment and Public Health; Sensory Art Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

• C. Robert Bennett, PhD, RN

  Mayo Clinic

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Robert Bennett, PhD, RN

CONTACT

480-301-4394; bennett.robert@mayo.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 22, 2026
• First Posted: July 27, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2028
• Last Updated: July 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Locations

US (1)