Playing music during ECT to reduce agitation afterward
the Effect of a MUsic Intervention on poStictal Agitation in Electroconvulsive Therapy Patients: the MUSE Trial
NA · Erasmus Medical Center · NCT06817330
This trial will try playing recorded music during ECT to see if it reduces agitation after the treatment in adults receiving ECT for severe depression.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 92 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Erasmus Medical Center (other) |
| Locations | 2 sites (Rotterdam and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06817330 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study compares peri-procedural recorded music played to patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy with a control condition of headphones without music. Participants who meet inclusion criteria receive ECT under etomidate and are assigned to either the music or silent-headphone condition during the intervention and immediate recovery period. The main outcome is the incidence and severity of postictal agitation, with secondary interest in whether reduced agitation corresponds to less post-treatment cognitive impairment. The rationale is that music has lowered preoperative anxiety and sedative needs in other hospital settings, and a simple, low-risk music intervention could be an easy preventive option if effective.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adult patients (≥18) undergoing ECT for depression (including bipolar depression) who receive etomidate anesthesia, understand Dutch, and can provide informed consent are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Patients with significant hearing impairment, severe neurological disorders that interfere with music processing, those receiving ECT for schizophrenia, or patients not anesthetized with etomidate are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this low-risk, low-cost approach could reduce how often and how severely patients become agitated after ECT and may lower related complications like retrograde amnesia.
How similar studies have performed: Music interventions have shown benefit in reducing preoperative anxiety and sedative or analgesic needs in surgical settings, but using peri-ECT music specifically to prevent postictal agitation is a novel application with limited direct evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients undergoing ECT treatment for depression (including depression as part of bipolar disorder) * Adult patients (≥18 years) * Hypnotic agent used is etomidate * Sufficient understanding of the Dutch language (in judgement of the attending physician or researcher) * Written informed consent by patient or legal representative Exclusion Criteria: * Significant impaired hearing (defined as unable to communicate verbally or listen to music) * Severe neurological condition (defined as interfering with the ability to process music) * Patients receiving ECT for treatment of schizophrenic disorders
Where this trial is running
Rotterdam and 1 other locations
- Erasmus Medical Center — Rotterdam, Netherlands (RECRUITING)
- Antes Parnassia Group — Rotterdam, Netherlands (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Markus Klimek, MD, PhD — Erasmus Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Emy S van der Valk Bouman, MD
- Email: e.vandervalkbouman@erasmusmc.nl
- Phone: +31107033357
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Music Intervention, Electroconvulsive Therapy Treated Patients, Agitation on Recovery From Sedation, music, postictal agitation, electroconvulsive therapy