Strengthening teen brain resilience with music during cancer treatment
Official title: Strengthening teen brain resilience using music (STRUM) during cancer treatment: A pilot feasibility trial.
Funded at Mayo Clinic Arizona · NIH-11444371 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pilot program tests whether 10 weeks of online ukulele lessons led by certified music therapists can help teens undergoing radiation therapy maintain cognitive and emotional resilience.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $319,195 |
| NIH project number | 1R34CA317559-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11444371 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Teens aged roughly 12–18 undergoing initial radiation therapy for cancer and who can participate in virtual music sessions.
✕Less likely to help
Teens who are not undergoing radiation therapy or cannot participate in virtual music sessions may not benefit.
What this research studies
Teens receiving radiation for cancer often experience cognitive and emotional challenges that can persist after treatment. This pilot feasibility trial will deliver structured ukulele training remotely, guided by board-certified music therapists, to see if it can bolster brain resilience during treatment. The study will look at recruitment and retention in this sensitive period and gather feedback on acceptability and practicality to inform a larger randomized trial. If feasible, the next phase would test whether STRUM improves cognitive functions, emotional regulation, and self-efficacy compared with standard care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, STRUM could become a practical, enjoyable supportive option to help teens cope with treatment-related cognitive and emotional challenges.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests music-based interventions can support cognitive and emotional well-being, making this a promising but exploratory approach for this specific group.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Arizona
Scottsdale, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bennett, C. Robert — Mayo Clinic Arizona
- Study coordinator: Bennett, C. Robert
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
This NIH grant studies why a small group of people aged 80+ keep memory skills as good as much younger people, hoping to understand how to protect memory as we age.
-
National Neighborhood Data Archive helps researchers study aging health in U.S. neighborhoods
A nationwide data resource will help researchers understand how where people live affects health and aging, with a focus on respiratory illnesses in older adults.
-
Understanding how neurons resist and recover from toxic chemicals
Researchers are studying how brain cells fight back against harmful chemicals to help people survive exposure.
-
Fostering Community Connections to Strengthen Youth Resilience and Well-Being
A Hawaii-based effort helps teens and young adults get mental health and preventive care more easily by building local networks and smart referral pathways.
-
Indigenous healthy homes and communities to improve health and resilience
A community-led effort in Indigenous communities in the US Southwest aims to improve housing and health, focusing on safer homes, cleaner indoor environments, and access to culturally competent care.
-
Neural Circuitry Resilience in Psychotic Disorders
Researchers are using ultra-high-field brain scans to understand how brain networks in people with schizophrenia adapt over time, with the goal of finding new ways to improve thinking and daily functioning.
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.