Culturally based live music program to lower stress-linked preterm birth risk in Black pregnant women

The impact of a culturally based live music intervention on the metabolites and metabolic pathways associated with chronic stress and the risk of preterm birth in Black women

['FUNDING_R01'] · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11238934

This 10-week culturally based live music program for Black pregnant women aims to lower stress-related molecules that are linked to preterm birth.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorCOLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11238934 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

You would be invited to attend a 10-week series of live music sessions designed with Black cultural traditions, while another group receives a similarly delivered sham control. You would give blood and other samples before and after the program so researchers can measure metabolites and metabolic pathways tied to chronic stress and preterm birth risk. The team will also use a Music Characterization System to identify which musical features might drive any changes. The study is run through Columbia University and focuses on pregnant Black people at higher risk for stress-related preterm birth.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants are Black pregnant women in early to mid pregnancy who can attend weekly sessions in New York and agree to provide biological samples and survey information.

Not a fit: People who are not pregnant, who cannot travel to the study site, or who have medical conditions causing imminent preterm delivery may not benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower biological stress markers and help reduce the risk of preterm birth for Black pregnant women.

How similar studies have performed: Some prior music-therapy work has reduced stress and improved mood, but using culturally based live music to change metabolites linked to preterm birth is a new, first-of-its-kind approach.

Where this research is happening

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.