Exploring how live music can reduce stress and preterm birth risk in Black women
Official title: 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
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10992173 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how live music that reflects Black culture can help reduce stress and possibly lower the risk of preterm birth in Black women, with participants enjoying music sessions over 10 weeks while another group has a different experience.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 16, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $618,862 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD016899-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10992173 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant Black women who are experiencing chronic stress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not identify as Black may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of a culturally-based live music intervention on chronic stress and its relationship to preterm birth in Black women. Over a 10-week period, participants will engage in live music sessions designed to resonate with their cultural background, while a control group will receive a similar but non-active intervention. The study aims to measure changes in biological markers and metabolic pathways associated with stress, providing insights into how music can potentially mitigate health disparities. By utilizing the Music Characterization System, researchers will analyze the specific musical elements that contribute to any observed benefits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative, culturally relevant interventions that significantly reduce the risk of preterm birth among Black women.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using live music as an intervention is novel, similar studies have shown that culturally tailored interventions can positively impact health outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Corwin, Elizabeth Jeanne — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Corwin, Elizabeth Jeanne
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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.