Musical intervention for treating hallucinations in schizophrenia

Song-making In a Group (SING)

Not applicable Interventional Yale University · NCT05929352

This study is testing if making music together can help people with schizophrenia who hear voices feel better compared to just listening to music.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment200 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorYale University Academic / other
Locations1 site (New Haven, Connecticut)
Trial IDNCT05929352 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of musical intervention (MI) on auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) in patients with schizophrenia. It aims to determine whether active participation in music creation is more effective than passive listening and how these interventions can be tailored based on individual symptom mechanisms. The study will involve 200 participants who experience voice hearing, assessing changes in hallucinations, social reinforcement learning, and language use through behavioral tasks and interviews. The goal is to optimize MI administration to improve patient outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals diagnosed with a psychotic disorder who experience auditory verbal hallucinations at least once a day.

Not a fit: Patients with substance abuse issues, significant medical conditions, or those who are non-English speaking may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a novel and effective treatment for patients suffering from distressing auditory hallucinations.

How similar studies have performed: While some small studies have shown promise for musical interventions in treating psychosis, this specific approach is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* voice hearing patients meeting diagnostic criteria for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-V psychotic disorder
* hearing voices at least once a day
* PANSS P3 (Hallucinations item) greater than 3
* Prior to study participation all patients will be evaluated for i) protocol eligibility; ii) ability to give informed consent; iii) interaction with the study team to determine participant's probability of completing the study; and iv) ability to cooperate with protocol procedures. The flow of all participants will be reviewed at weekly research meetings in consultation with the study team.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV substance abuse or dependence (past six months)
* clinically significant medical conditions, head injury with neurological symptoms or unconsciousness
* mental retardation (IQ\<70)
* Non-English speaking
* no less than 2 weeks of stable doses of psychotropic medications (to avoid transient effects of medication regiment change; medication type and dose will be carefully recorded and used as a covariate in all analyses)
* Co-morbid mood or anxiety diagnosis
* clinically/behaviorally unstable and unable to cooperate with SING procedures
* Unstable medical condition based on medical history, physical examination and routine laboratory work-up

Where this trial is running

New Haven, Connecticut

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions SchizophreniaHallucinations
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.