Using music to help reduce seizures in children with epilepsy
Feasibility Study on the Antiseizure and Neurocognitive Effects of Musical Neurostimulation in Paediatric Patients With Drug Resistant Epilepsy
This study is testing if listening to Mozart's music can help reduce seizures and improve thinking skills in children with epilepsy who don't respond to medication.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 2 Years to 16 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Aberdeen Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Aberdeen) |
| Trial ID | NCT05545540 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the long-term effects of listening to Mozart's Sonata for two pianos in D major (K448) on seizure frequency and cognitive functioning in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a music intervention group or a control group, with both groups maintaining their current antiepileptic drug therapy. Parents will keep a seizure diary throughout the study, and neuropsychological testing will be conducted before and after the intervention period. The primary outcome will be the change in seizure frequency after exposure to the music.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children diagnosed with drug-resistant epilepsy who have not responded to at least two anti-seizure medications.
Not a fit: Patients who have a seizure frequency of less than two episodes per month or are undergoing changes in their anti-seizure medication during the study may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a non-invasive adjunctive treatment option for children with drug-resistant epilepsy.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of music as a therapeutic intervention is novel in this context, similar studies have shown promising results in other areas of neurocognitive treatment.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children diagnosed with drug resistant epilepsy as per International League Against Epilepsy criteria: failure of adequate trials of two tolerated and appropriately chosen and used anti-seizure medication (ASM) schedules to achieve sustained seizure freedom. Exclusion Criteria: * Children who undergo changes in ASM treatment during the study period. * Children with a seizure frequency of less than two episodes per month. * Children who underwent changes in ASM therapy less than one month before the study period. * Children included in other clinical intervention studies at the time of recruitment.
Where this trial is running
Aberdeen
- Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital — Aberdeen, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Domenico Serino, MD — University of Aberdeen, NHS Grampian
- Study coordinator: Domenico Serino, MD
- Email: domenico.serino@abnd.ac.uk
- Phone: 01224554897
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.