Using personalized music to reduce emergence delirium in children
Official title: Decreasing Emergence Delirium With Personalized Music
Run by Washington University School of Medicine · NCT06236477 · Data updated 2026-05-14
This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.
This study is testing if playing personalized music for kids aged 3-9 during ear surgery can help reduce confusion and agitation as they wake up from anesthesia.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase1; Phase2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 3 Years to 9 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 160 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Washington University School of Medicine Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Saint Louis, Missouri) |
| Trial ID | NCT06236477 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are children aged 3-9 years scheduled for unilateral or bilateral myringotomy under general anesthesia.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who do not have an interest in music or have hearing impairments that prevent them from perceiving music may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of personalized music in reducing emergence agitation in children aged 3-9 undergoing myringotomy procedures. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard care or personalized music during their perioperative period. The study will assess the incidence of emergence agitation using the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale, as well as evaluate preoperative anxiety, postoperative pain, and behavioral changes through various validated scales. The goal is to determine if personalized music can improve the overall experience and outcomes for pediatric patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce emergence delirium and improve recovery experiences for children undergoing surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results using music therapy in various medical settings, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Child aged 3-9 years * Presenting for unilateral or bilateral myringotomy under GA Exclusion Criteria: * Combined procedures * Lack of interest in music (e.g., child who does not have musical preferences) * Inability to hear music (patients with mild-moderate hearing loss who can perceive music will be included) * Parent/guardian or patient refusal
Where it's running
-
Washington University in St. Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Benjamin Sanofsky
- Email: sanofsky@wustl.edu
- Phone: 314-457-3109
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Live parent-child video interaction or cartoon watching to ease emergence agitation in preschoolers
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Oral vs IV Magnesium for Emergence Delirium in Children after Adenotonsillectomy
This trial tests whether giving magnesium by mouth before surgery or by IV during surgery can reduce emergence delirium in children aged 4–7 undergoing adenotonsillectomy with sevoflurane anesthesia.
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Greater auricular nerve block to reduce agitation after children's middle ear surgery
This trial will test whether an ultrasound-guided greater auricular nerve block can reduce agitation and pain when children wake up after microscopic middle ear surgery.
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Dexmedetomidine–midazolam versus ketamine–midazolam for emergence delirium in children
This test compares dexmedetomidine plus midazolam against ketamine plus midazolam to see which better prevents emergence delirium in children having heart catheterization under general anesthesia.
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Remimazolam with sevoflurane to reduce wake-up agitation in children after neurosurgery.
This trial will test whether adding a single bolus of remimazolam to sevoflurane anesthesia lowers the chance that children ages 1–6 become agitated as they wake up from neurosurgery.
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Diagnosing neurocognitive complications during surgery using EEG
This study is testing if using EEG during surgery can help doctors spot early signs of cognitive problems, like delirium, in adults having non-cardiac surgeries.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.