Music-4-MS to Improve Cognition in People Living With Multiple Sclerosis: A Feasibility Study

NCT07759115 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: STUDY00008963R21NR022143
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 64
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Multiple sclerosis (MS) rates in the U.S. have nearly doubled over the past decade, making it a leading cause of nontraumatic functional impairment in young adults and significantly affecting cognitive function in up to 70% of people with MS. While traditional cognitive rehabilitation methods are limited in sensory engagement, music training offers a multisensory approach that enhances neuroplasticity and improves cognitive functions. This study investigates the feasibility of Music-4-MS, a 12-week music-based eHealth intervention, to support cognitive and emotional health in individuals with MS.

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis; Pathologic Processes; Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Nervous System Diseases; Demyelinating Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases

Keywords

Cognitive rehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Feasibility: Engagement

  Feasibility will be assessed by quantifying weekly participation in Music-4-MS using the activity metrics from the online platform Teachable.

  Immediately post-intervention

• Feasibility: Retention

  Feasibility will be evaluated by quantifying how many participants drop out throughout the course of the study.

  Immediately post-intervention

• Feasibility: Recruitment

  Feasibility will be assessed by quantifying how many people accept the invitation to participate in the study.

  Immediately post-intervention

• Musical Training Intervention Acceptability

  Acceptability will be evaluated with semi-structured interview questions to understand the participant's perception of MTI delivery and content and the perceived impact.

  Immediately post-intervention

• Music Listening Intervention Acceptability

  Acceptability will be assessed by having participants rate a series of eight statements from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 7 (Strongly Agree), and answer three open-ended questions based on their experience with the music listening program.

  Immediately post-intervention

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• Mean Change from Baseline in Functional Well-Being Scores at 12 weeks and 16 weeks

  Immediately post-intervention and 1-month post-intervention

• Mean Change from Baseline in Cognitive Function at 12 weeks and 16 weeks

  Immediately post-intervention and 1-month post-intervention

• Mean Change from Baseline in Upper Extremity Function Scores at 12 weeks and 16 weeks

  Immediately post-intervention and 1-month post-intervention

• Mean Change from Baseline in Objective Hand Dexterity Scores at 12 weeks and 16 weeks

  Immediately post-intervention and 1-month post-intervention

• Mean Change from Baseline in Subjective Hand Dexterity Scores at 12 weeks and 16 weeks

  Immediately post-intervention and 1-month post-intervention

Study Arms (2)

Musical Training Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants randomized to this arm receive a 12-week intervention to teach them how to play the ukulele. The ukulele is a very manageable instrument to learn and requires less hand dexterity than other stringed instruments. Each week participants will follow the musical training intervention (MTI) protocol that provides instruction on how to tune, hold, and strum the ukulele and play basic chords. To practice the chords, they will also learn popular songs (e.g., Chain of Fools, Three Little Birds, Happy Birthday, Just the Way You Are, and Coconut). Participants will be instructed to follow each session outlined weekly and asked to practice the instrument for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week. They will be given a paper and digital version of the MTI protocol. A member of our research team will call the participants weekly to answer any questions about the MTI protocol.

Behavioral: Music Training Intervention

Music Listening

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants randomized to this arm will be asked to listen to their preferred music for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week. A member of our research team will call them every week to answer any questions they have about the ML protocol. They will be asked to record their experience in a daily log.

Behavioral: Music Listening

Interventions

Music Training Intervention BEHAVIORAL

The Music Training Intervention (MTI) entails 12-weeks of online instruction to learn to play the ukulele. Participants will be taught the basic information on how to hold the ukulele, musical chords, strum and play popular songs. They will be instructed to play at least 30-minutes a day, five days a week.

Musical Training Intervention

Music Listening BEHAVIORAL

Participants randomized to this arm will be asked to listen to their preferred music for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week. A member of our research team will call them every week to answer any questions they have about the ML protocol. They will be asked to record their experience in a daily log

Music Listening

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (relapsing remitting, secondary progressive, primary progressive)
• Diagnosed more than 6 months prior to starting study
• Self-reported cognitive impairment as assessed by having at leased 5 problems "sometimes" or more often on the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire
• Read, write, and understand English
• Access to internet

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosed with another neurological condition that causes cognitive impairment
• MS exacerbation within the last 30 days
• Professional musician (primary source of income)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Texas at Austin: lead
• National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Texas at Austin

Austin, Texas, 78712, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis; Pathologic Processes; Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Nervous System Diseases; Demyelinating Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Leukoencephalopathies; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases

Study Officials

• Carolyn Phillips, PhD

  University of Texas at Austin

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Carolyn Phillips, PhD, RN

CONTACT

512-475-7039; carolyn.phillips@nursing.utexas.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: CARE PROVIDER, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 5, 2026
• First Posted: August 12, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2028
• Last Updated: August 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)