Music Therapy Towards Schizophrenia, Negative Symptoms

Schizophrenia Clinical Trial

Official title: Music Therapy for Treatment of Patients Suffering From Schizophrenia With Negative Symptoms - A Double-blinded Study

Status Recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

The Aim of this National study is to examine whether music therapy can reduce negative symptoms and raise Quality of Life for patients suffering from Schizophrenia. It is an Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), double-blinded study with two arms. 120 Participants are anticipated. The two Arms consist of 25 weekly hours of Music Therapy by educated Music Therapists and time compensated Music Listening by unknown Care Staff Members.

The Study is a close Cooperation between Aalborg University (The Music Therapy Research Clinic) and Aalborg University Hospital, Psychiatry.

Clinical Trial Description

Schizophrenia includes 1 % of the Population in Denmark (DK) and often ends up to be chronically. Negative Symptoms are difficult to reduce by Medication and Psychosocial Treatment Possibilities are searched for. Three Cochrane Reviews (2005, 2011, 2017) have been conducted concerning Music Therapy and Schizophrenia with Positive Results. This RCT, double-blinded Study aims at verifying, if these Results can be Recognized in the Danish Health System. It also aims at being similar to Biomedical Study Designs as much as possible to strengthen the Evidence of the Study. A Power Calculation showed, that a minimum of 44,5 Participants in each Arm should be available, but as drop out can be anticipated with this Population, 60 Participants in each Arm were recommended. The screening Procedure is Comprehensive as it aims at securing, that the negative Symptoms are part of the Illness Schizophrenia and not side Effects from Medication or simultaneous Depression (See the Inclusion- and Exclusion criteria).

The Measurement Tools are as follows:

At Baseline, after 15 Sessions and at Termination:

• The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS),

• Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS),

• Quality of Life (WHOQOL-Bref),

• Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS),

• Board of Clinical Examinations (Danish Questionnaire) (UKU)

• Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF) 4 Weeks after Termination Follow Up Interview. In the Arm of Music Therapy Audio Recording of Music Interventions are done in Session 1,15 and 25.

• Helping Alliance Questionnaire, patient version, (Haq-II) This Haq-II is filled out after 5 sessions and after 15 Sessions and at Termination together with a Research Assistant in both Arms. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Schizophrenia

• NCT number: NCT02942459
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Aalborg University Hospital
• Contact: Inge N. Pedersen, PhDAss. Prof
• Phone: +45 26229614
• Email: innp@rn.dk
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: September 1, 2015
• Completion date: December 31, 2020