Virtual AI-Assisted Music Therapy for Anxiety in Advanced Cancer
Official title: Virtual AI-Assisted Music Therapy for Anxiety Symptoms in People with Advanced Cancer (VIRTUOSO)
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11296984 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new AI-enabled music therapy program for people with advanced cancer aims to reduce anxiety and improve quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | June 12, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $743,809 |
| NIH project number | 1R37CA296338-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11296984 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with advanced cancer experiencing clinically meaningful anxiety who can participate in music therapy sessions and use AI-assisted tools.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are unable to participate in music-based activities or who have anxiety not responsive to non-pharmacological approaches may receive limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops an AI-assisted music therapy platform where patients with advanced cancer participate in collaborative songwriting and listening experiences guided by clinicians. The study builds on evidence that music therapy can ease anxiety and that AI tools can simplify creating song experiences tailored to individuals. Researchers will run a longer, rigorously designed trial following a successful pilot to determine if this approach yields longer-lasting anxiety relief. If effective, the program could become a scalable, non-drug option to support mental well-being during difficult cancer care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience meaningful reductions in anxiety and improved overall quality of life through an accessible, non-pharmacological therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Prior MT approaches show short-term anxiety reduction; this project builds on that with AI-assisted, songwriting-based approaches that require further validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liou, Kevin T — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Liou, Kevin T
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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.