Strengthening Teen Brain Resilience Using Music Intervention to Improve Radiation Induced Cognitive Decline for Adolescents Undergoing Radiation Therapy for Cancer Treatment

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07729384

Mayo Clinic30 enrolled

Overview

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Childhood Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm Childhood Malignant Solid Neoplasm

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 12 YearsMax age: 17 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 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 Exclusion Criteria: * 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

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

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

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

Time frame: At time of enrollment

Proportion of Strengthening Teen Brain Resilience Using Music (STRUM) sessions completed (feasibility)

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

Time frame: 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.

Time frame: Up to 10 weeks

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

Basic descriptive statistical analyses will be performed.

Time frame: Baseline, week 6, week 12, week 20

Acceptability of the 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.

Time frame: 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.