After-school music lessons to boost children's self-control
Effects of Music Training on Neurodevelopment and Associated Health Outcomes
This trial gives 6–8-year-old children regular group music training and compares them to arts classes to test if music strengthens brain systems for self-control and delaying rewards.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11194493 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Your child would be randomly assigned to either a 24-month after-school group music program or an after-school art/theater program without systematic music training. Researchers will bring children in for regular brain imaging (multimodal MRI) and have them do games that measure response inhibition and delay of gratification. The initial phase enrolls 40 children to check whether recruitment, retention, and attendance are feasible before expanding to a larger trial. Participation means attending classes in the community and coming to USC for scheduled testing and scans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are typically developing children around 6–8 years old who can attend regular after-school programs and undergo MRI visits.
Not a fit: Adults, children outside the target age range, kids unable to participate in regular classes or MRI (for example because of metal implants or severe anxiety), or those needing immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to benefit from joining this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify a widely available, non-medication approach to help children strengthen self-control and related brain circuits.
How similar studies have performed: Prior non-randomized and observational studies suggest music training can change frontal brain circuits and improve inhibitory control, but rigorously designed randomized neuroimaging trials like this are still uncommon.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Habibi, Assal — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Habibi, Assal
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.