Musical Training: Promoting Brain Function in Children Who Have Survived Brain Tumours | NCT07769099 | Trialant

Not yet recruitingInterventionalNot ApplicableUpdated Aug 17, 2026

Musical Training: Promoting Brain Function in Children Who Have Survived Brain Tumours

Efficacy of a Musical Training Programme in Promoting Neuroplasticity in Children Who Have Survived Brain Tumours: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Overview

Key facts that identify this study and show where it stands today.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07769099
Lead Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityOTHER
Overall Status: Not yet recruiting
Study Type: Interventional
Phase: Not Applicable
Enrollment: 236Estimated
Last Update Posted: Aug 17, 2026Actual
Start Date: Oct 30, 2026Estimated
Primary Completion Date: May 30, 2029Estimated
Completion Date: Oct 30, 2029Estimated

Description

What the study is about and why it is being run, in the researchers' own words.

Official Title: Efficacy of a Musical Training Programme in Promoting Neuroplasticity in Children Who Have Survived Brain Tumours: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Brief Summary: This study aims to understand whether learning music can help improve brain function and quality of life in children who have recovered from brain tumours. A total of 236 children will join the study. Some of them will receive regular medical care, while others will take part in a music training program using the ukulele. The music program will last for one year and includes both in-person group classes and online individual sessions. The investigators will assess how well the children can think, remember, and focus before and after the training. The investigators will also ask about their daily life and well-being. This study hopes to show that music training can be a fun and helpful way to support recovery in childhood brain tumour survivors.
Detailed Description

Conditions

The medical conditions and diseases this study investigates.

Cancer Childhood
Brain Tumor

Interventions

The treatments and procedures being evaluated in this study.

Musical Training Program

Participation

Who can join this study and the criteria used to decide.

Ages Eligible for Study: Child (0-17)
Sexes Eligible for Study: All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
Eligibility Criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

Completed cancer treatment at least 2 months previously,

Aged 7-16 years,

Able to speak Cantonese and read Chinese

Have had no musical training since their cancer diagnosis

Exclusion Criteria:

Have cancer recurrence or a second malignancy

Design

How the study is designed and how its participant groups are organized.

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)

Contacts

The people to reach with questions about this study or how to join it.

Joyce ChungContact

okjoyce.chung@polyu.edu.hk+852 27666322

Locations

Where the study is run and whether each site is currently recruiting.

The Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Collaborators

The organizations and people involved in this study.

Lead Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityOTHER

Similar Studies

Other registered studies that closely resemble this one.

This randomized controlled trial aims to determine the efficacy of musical training in promoting neuroplasticity and enhancing the quality of life in children who have survived brain tumours. A total of 236 participants will be recruited from Hong Kong Children's Hospital and Children's Cancer Foundation centres. Participants in the intervention group will receive 52 weeks of musical training, consisting of 36 face-to-face small group sessions and 16 online individual sessions, while the control group will receive usual care. The ukulele, chosen for its light weight, simple chords, and cheerful sound, will be used as the training instrument due to its accessibility and appeal to children. Neuroplasticity will be assessed using a battery of standardized instruments, including the Test of This study aims to explore whether musical training can help improve brain function and quality of life in children who have survived brain tumours. A total of 236 children will be recruited and randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive 52 weeks of ukulele-based musical training, which includes 36 face-to-face group sessions held at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and 16 online individual sessions conducted at home. The control group will receive usual care only. The ukulele was chosen for its light weight, simple chords, and child-friendly sound, making it ideal for young learners. To support families who may not be familiar with online tools, the investigators will provide user guides, video tutorials, and technical support. The study will assess participants' brain function-including nonverbal intelligence, attention, memory, processing speed, and executive functioning-as well as their daily functioning and quality of life using standardized tests and questionnaires. These assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention and at follow-up. The investigators hope the results will show that musical training is a fun and effective way to support the neurological and emotional recovery of children after brain tumour treatment.