Sound Bite: therapeutic song-writing for young people with depression

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This multicentre randomized controlled trial compares a seven-session therapeutic song-writing program (Sound Bite) with a waitlist control in young people who have mild to moderate depressive symptoms. The program is delivered by trained social workers and helping professionals familiar with music therapy, and intervention outcomes are measured before and after by research staff who are not involved in group allocation or delivery. Standardized assessments including the Chinese DASS-Y are used to measure depressive symptoms, self-stigma, self-esteem, sense of hope, and perceived social support at post-intervention. Participants are drawn from service users of The Salvation Army in Hong Kong and must provide informed consent, with parental consent required for those under 18.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. aged between 13 to 24 years;
2. having mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety as assessed using a standardized assessment tool, i.e. Chinese Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-Youth (DASS-Y) with a DASS-Y Depression score between 5 and 12;
3. service users of The Salvation Army social service unit; and
4. giving informed consent to this research work. For those aged below 18, parental consent will be obtained.

Exclusion Criteria:

Those with severe depression (i.e. a DASS-Y Depression score ≥ 13) and/or severe anxiety (i.e. a DASS-Y Anxiety score ≥ 8) are excluded from this study.

Where it's running

• City University of Hong Kong
  Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Kim-wan Daniel Young, PhD
• Email: dkwyoung@cityu.edu.hk
• Phone: +85234428954

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.