This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether two formats of group music therapy can improve emotional well-being, self-rated health, and social connectedness among undergraduate students living in urban areas in China. A total of 120 students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) active group music therapy, (2) receptive group music therapy, or (3) a waitlist control group.

Both music therapy programs were delivered in person over 6 weeks, with one 60-minute session per week facilitated by trained music therapists. The active format emphasized participatory music-making (e.g., singing, rhythmic activities, and group improvisation), while the receptive format focused on guided music listening and reflection.

Participants completed self-report questionnaires at baseline and immediately after the 6-week period assessing positive and negative affect, anxiety symptoms, general health, and perceived social connectedness. The study examined whether the two music therapy approaches led to improvements compared with the waitlist control condition.

This study used a parallel-group randomized controlled design to examine the effects of two structured formats of group music therapy on emotional well-being, anxiety symptoms, self-rated health, and social connectedness among undergraduate students in urban China. Participants were recruited through university announcements and campus-based advertisements. Eligible participants provided informed consent and completed baseline assessments before being randomly allocated to one of three conditions: active group music therapy, receptive group music therapy, or a waitlist control group.

The intervention period lasted 6 weeks. Participants assigned to either music therapy condition attended weekly in-person group sessions of approximately 60 minutes in small groups (10-15 participants). Sessions were delivered by trained music therapists using standardized protocols to ensure structural equivalence across conditions. The active group music therapy format emphasized participatory music-making (e.g., group singing, rhythmic call-and-response, body percussion, and collaborative musical activities) and included brief guided group discussion at the end of each session. The receptive group music therapy format emphasized guided music listening, music-assisted imagery/visualization, reflective writing or moderated discussion, and relaxation/breathing exercises.

Participants in the waitlist control condition did not receive any intervention during the 6-week study period but completed the same baseline and post-intervention assessments as the intervention groups. After completion of the study, waitlist participants were offered the option to attend one group music therapy session.

All outcomes were assessed using self-report measures administered at baseline and immediately after the 6-week period.

Inclusion Criteria:

Undergraduate university students aged 18 to 26 years

Living in an urban area in China

Able to attend weekly in-person group sessions for 6 weeks

Provided written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

Self-reported severe active clinical diagnosis

De-identified individual participant data and study materials will be made publicly available via the Open Science Framework (OSF).

De-identified IPD and supporting information will be available immediately following publication and will remain available indefinitely.

De-identified individual participant data and supporting information will be publicly available to anyone via the Open Science Framework (OSF). No application or data use agreement will be required.