Music Listening InterventionCMMNCT07338500
Cardiovascular Effects of Music Versus Guided Mindfulness
A study testing Music and Mindfulness in people with Music Listening Intervention and Mindfulness-based Intervention, run by Sir Mortimer B. Davis - Jewish General Hospital at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to examine how listening to music compares to guided mindfulness in affecting blood pressure, heart rate, and feelings of anxiety in healthy adults. The investigators aim to determine whether one of these approaches is more effective in reducing these variables. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 75 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Music Listening Intervention, Mindfulness-based Intervention
- What is being tested?
- Music and Mindfulness
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 10 Apr 2026to 17 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Normal baseline blood pressure (systolic BP < 120 mmHg and diastolic BP < 80mmHg).
- Abstention from caffeine intake for at least 12 hours before the study session and throughout the session, as caffeine may influence cardiovascular measurements.
- Abstention from using nicotine or tobacco products for at least 1 hour before the study session and throughout the session, as these substances may influence cardiovascular measurements.
Who cannot join
- Significant hearing impairments that cannot be improved with hearing aids or sound amplification.
- Current use of medications that could affect blood pressure.
- History of hypertension or cardiovascular disease.
- Diagnosis of active substance use disorder, or reported patterns of alcohol, cannabis, or recreational/non-prescribed substance use likely to affect cardiovascular function.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Cardiovascular Effects of Music Versus Guided Mindfulness: A Randomized Crossover Study
The purpose of this study is to examine how listening to music compares to guided mindfulness in affecting blood pressure, heart rate, and feelings of anxiety in healthy adults. The investigators aim to determine whether one of these approaches is more effective in reducing these variables. Additionally, the study will explore whether personal traits or preferences, measured using questionnaires, influence how participants respond to music or mindfulness. Based on previous clinical findings, the researchers hypothesize that listening to music will lead to greater reductions in blood pressure and heart rate compared to guided mindfulness.
Read the detailed description
Music and mindfulness-based practices, such as meditation and breathing exercises, are well-established non-pharmacological interventions known to positively influence both physiological and psychological health. They are utilized for their ability to reduce stress and promote relaxation by modulating autonomic nervous system activity, which in turn influences the cardiovascular system. This modulation has been associated with reductions in markers of physiological stress, such as blood pressure and heart rate.
Cardiovascular influences of music and mindfulness have been leveraged in numerous medical procedures for enhancing comfort and tolerability, as well as mental well-being. However, despite the widespread use and documented physiological effects of music and mindfulness-based interventions, there is a lack of research directly comparing their effects. Furthermore, there is a relative lack of high-quality randomized trials examining the effects of music and mindfulness on parameters such as blood pressure and heart rate.
This randomized crossover study will examine the cardiovascular impact of listening to a curated music playlist versus participating in a guided mindfulness session in a healthy population to determine whether music produces greater reductions in blood pressure and heart rate than guided mindfulness.
Each participant will attend a single 3-hour study visit, during which they will take part in two sessions. One session involves listening to a carefully selected music playlist, and the other involves participating in a guided mindfulness exercise. The order of the sessions will be random. Blood pressure and heart rate will be measured throughout the study visit, and participants will be asked to complete questionnaires measuring anxiety, experience with music and mindfulness, tendency to become deeply engaged, and enjoyment of each session.
The primary aim is to compare changes in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate between curated music playlist and guided mindfulness interventions, using an automated oscillometric upper arm blood pressure monitor with measurements taken at 10-minute intervals.
By investigating the physiological effects of music versus guided mindfulness on hemodynamic responses in a healthy population, this study will provide critical insight into the distinct and shared autonomic effects of these two non-pharmacological interventions. Understanding the cardiovascular effects of music and guided mindfulness will inform evidence-based guidelines for integrating these interventions into clinical and research protocols. As non-invasive therapeutic tools, both music and mindfulness hold promise for enhancing patient care across diverse settings.
- Being tested
- Music, Mindfulness
- Keywords
- Music, Mindfulness
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
MusicOther
Participants will listen to a 40-minute playlist, curated by the research team, through noise-cancelling headphones. The playlist will simultaneously be played in the room through speakers.
MindfulnessOther
Participants will engage in a structured mindfulness session led by a member of the research team with experience in mindfulness-based practices.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Music Intervention First | Experimental | Participants randomized to this arm will receive a 40-minute Music Listening intervention in the first period, followed by a 20-minute washout period, and then receive a 40-minute Guided Mindfulness intervention in the second period. Receives: Other: Music; Other: Mindfulness |
| Mindfulness Intervention First | Experimental | Participants randomized to this arm will receive a 40-minute Guided Mindfulness intervention in the first period, followed by a 20-minute washout period, and then receive a 40-minute Music Listening intervention in the second period. Receives: Other: Music; Other: Mindfulness |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Changes in Blood Pressure
The investigators will compare changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the curated music playlist and guided mindfulness interventions using an automated oscillometric upper arm blood pressure monitor with measurements taken at 10-minute intervals.
Measured: 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes during each 40-minute intervention session.
Changes in Heart Rate
The investigators will compare changes in heart rate between the curated music playlist and guided mindfulness interventions using an automated oscillometric upper arm blood pressure monitor with measurements taken at 10-minute intervals.
Measured: 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes during each 40-minute intervention session.
Secondary outcomes (9)
Changes in Beat-to-Beat Blood Pressure (Finapres NOVA)
Continuous beat-to-beat blood pressure will be recorded using Finometer Model 2 hemodynamic monitoring technology (Finapres Medical Systems, Netherlands) to allow for more detailed characterization of the cardiovascular response to music and mindfulness, potentially capturing effects on systolic and diastolic blood pressure not detected by periodic arm-cuff measurements.
Measured: 0 to 40 minutes during each 40-minute intervention session.
Changes in Heart Rate (Finapres NOVA, Electrocardiogram-derived)
Heart rate will be recorded continuously using the electrocardiogram (ECG) channel of the Finapres NOVA, a non-invasive continuous hemodynamic monitoring technology (Finapres Medical Systems, Netherlands). Heart rate values will be derived from the ECG signal. This will allow for more detailed characterization of the cardiovascular response to music and mindfulness, potentially capturing effects on heart rate not detected by periodic arm-cuff measurements.
Measured: 0 to 40 minutes during each 40-minute intervention session.
Change from Baseline in STAI-Y 1
The investigators will measure changes in acute anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI) - State subscale (form Y1) before and after each intervention. The STAI consists of 20 participant-rated statements, from 1 to 4 (1= Not at all, 4= Very much so) regarding their current anxiety (state). A lower score corresponds to less severity of symptoms.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after each of the two 40-minute intervention sessions during the single study visit.
Change from Baseline in Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS)
The investigators will measure changes in common symptoms using the ESAS before and after each intervention. The ESAS consists of 10 common symptoms: pain, tiredness, drowsiness, nausea, appetite, shortness of breath, depression, anxiety, well-being, and other, rated from 0 to 10. A lower score corresponds to less severity of symptoms.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after each of the two 40-minute intervention sessions during the single study visit.
Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire (BMRQ)
The Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire (BMRQ) is a validated 20-item questionnaire used to assess individual differences in the rewarding aspects of music listening. Each item is a statement rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = "Completely Disagree" to 5 = "Completely Agree"). Higher scores indicate a greater sensitivity to music-related reward. The total and subscale scores will be used to determine whether the extent of music reward experienced by participants predicts the magnitude of cardiovascular impact.
Measured: Baseline
MUSE questionnaire
The MUSE questionnaire includes two quantitative items assessing average weekly and daily hours of music listening, as well as three 5-point Likert scale items evaluating the subjective importance of music, frequency of listening, and preference for specific genres. It will be used to characterize participants' music listening habits and attitudes and their relationship to cardiovascular outcomes.
Measured: Baseline
Mindfulness Adherence Questionnaire (MAQ)
The Mindfulness Adherence Questionnaire (MAQ) is designed to measure the quantity and quality of an individual's mindfulness practice. It includes two quantitative items assessing frequency of formal practice and average duration of each session, as well as ten 5-point Likert scale items evaluating quality of mindfulness practice and time spent being mindful in everyday life, outside of formal sessions. It will be used to evaluate participants' experience with mindfulness and its relationship to cardiovascular outcomes.
Measured: Baseline
Modified Tellegen Absorption Scale (MODTAS)
The Modified Tellegen Absorption Scale (MODTAS) is a validated 34-item questionnaire designed to measure an individual's engagement or immersion in sensory or imaginative experiences. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale. It will be used to explore whether individual differences in trait absorption predict responsiveness to music and mindfulness interventions.
Measured: Baseline
Subjective Enjoyment (Visual Analogue Scale and Open-Ended Questions)
The investigators will assess subjective enjoyment of each intervention using 10-point visual analogue scales (VAS) administered immediately following each session. Participants will rate their enjoyment on a horizontal scale ranging from 0 ("not at all enjoyable") to 10 ("extremely enjoyable"). Additionally, participants will be asked a series of open-ended questions about their experience of each intervention. Including these measures will allow for assessment of potential preference effects that could influence cardiovascular outcomes.
Measured: Immediately after each of the two 40-minute intervention sessions during the single study visit.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Jan 2026
- Study start10 Apr 2026
- Primary completion17 Sep 2026
- Study completion17 Sep 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Music Listening InterventionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Sir Mortimer B. Davis - Jewish General Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Kyle Greenway, Sir Mortimer B. Davis - Jewish General Hospital
- Investigators
- Kyle Greenway, MD, Principal investigator, Sir Mortimer B. Davis - Jewish General Hospital, McGill University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07338500
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026-4674
- Acronym
- CMM
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 23 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Due to the sensitive nature of the data and the small sample size, which poses a risk of participant identification, the data will not be shared.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Cardiovascular Effects of Music Versus Guided Mindfulness: A Randomized Crossover Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07338500
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CMM / 2026-4674
- Keywords
- Music, Mindfulness
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Sir Mortimer B. Davis - Jewish General HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 17 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 17 Sep 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 14 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to examine how listening to music compares to guided mindfulness in affecting blood pressure, heart rate, and feelings of anxiety in healthy adults. The investigators aim to determine whether one of these approaches is more effective in reducing these variables. Additionally, the study will explore whether personal traits or preferences, measured using questionnaires, influence how participants respond to music or mindfulness. Based on previous clinical findings, the researchers hypothesize that listening to music will lead to greater reductions in blood pressure and heart rate compared to guided mindfulness.
Detailed description
Music and mindfulness-based practices, such as meditation and breathing exercises, are well-established non-pharmacological interventions known to positively influence both physiological and psychological health. They are utilized for their ability to reduce stress and promote relaxation by modulating autonomic nervous system activity, which in turn influences the cardiovascular system. This modulation has been associated with reductions in markers of physiological stress, such as blood pressure and heart rate.
Cardiovascular influences of music and mindfulness have been leveraged in numerous medical procedures for enhancing comfort and tolerability, as well as mental well-being. However, despite the widespread use and documented physiological effects of music and mindfulness-based interventions, there is a lack of research directly comparing their effects. Furthermore, there is a relative lack of high-quality randomized trials examining the effects of music and mindfulness on parameters such as blood pressure and heart rate.
This randomized crossover study will examine the cardiovascular impact of listening to a curated music playlist versus participating in a guided mindfulness session in a healthy population to determine whether music produces greater reductions in blood pressure and heart rate than guided mindfulness.
Each participant will attend a single 3-hour study visit, during which they will take part in two sessions. One session involves listening to a carefully selected music playlist, and the other involves participating in a guided mindfulness exercise. The order of the sessions will be random. Blood pressure and heart rate will be measured throughout the study visit, and participants will be asked to complete questionnaires measuring anxiety, experience with music and mindfulness, tendency to become deeply engaged, and enjoyment of each session.
The primary aim is to compare changes in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate between curated music playlist and guided mindfulness interventions, using an automated oscillometric upper arm blood pressure monitor with measurements taken at 10-minute intervals.
By investigating the physiological effects of music versus guided mindfulness on hemodynamic responses in a healthy population, this study will provide critical insight into the distinct and shared autonomic effects of these two non-pharmacological interventions. Understanding the cardiovascular effects of music and guided mindfulness will inform evidence-based guidelines for integrating these interventions into clinical and research protocols. As non-invasive therapeutic tools, both music and mindfulness hold promise for enhancing patient care across diverse settings.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Music Intervention First | Experimental | Other: Music, Other: MindfulnessParticipants randomized to this arm will receive a 40-minute Music Listening intervention in the first period, followed by a 20-minute washout period, and then receive a 40-minute Guided Mindfulness intervention in the second period. |
| Mindfulness Intervention First | Experimental | Other: Music, Other: MindfulnessParticipants randomized to this arm will receive a 40-minute Guided Mindfulness intervention in the first period, followed by a 20-minute washout period, and then receive a 40-minute Music Listening intervention in the second period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Normal baseline blood pressure (systolic BP < 120 mmHg and diastolic BP < 80mmHg).
- Abstention from caffeine intake for at least 12 hours before the study session and throughout the session, as caffeine may influence cardiovascular measurements.
- Abstention from using nicotine or tobacco products for at least 1 hour before the study session and throughout the session, as these substances may influence cardiovascular measurements.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Significant hearing impairments that cannot be improved with hearing aids or sound amplification.
- Current use of medications that could affect blood pressure.
- History of hypertension or cardiovascular disease.
- Diagnosis of active substance use disorder, or reported patterns of alcohol, cannabis, or recreational/non-prescribed substance use likely to affect cardiovascular function.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| MusicParticipants will listen to a 40-minute playlist, curated by the research team, through noise-cancelling headphones. The playlist will simultaneously be played in the room through speakers. | Other | Mindfulness Intervention First, Music Intervention First |
| MindfulnessParticipants will engage in a structured mindfulness session led by a member of the research team with experience in mindfulness-based practices. | Other | Mindfulness Intervention First, Music Intervention First |
Primary outcome
Changes in Blood Pressure
Time frame: 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes during each 40-minute intervention session.
The investigators will compare changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the curated music playlist and guided mindfulness interventions using an automated oscillometric upper arm blood pressure monitor with measurements taken at 10-minute intervals.
Changes in Heart Rate
Time frame: 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes during each 40-minute intervention session.
The investigators will compare changes in heart rate between the curated music playlist and guided mindfulness interventions using an automated oscillometric upper arm blood pressure monitor with measurements taken at 10-minute intervals.
9 secondary outcomes
Changes in Beat-to-Beat Blood Pressure (Finapres NOVA)
Time frame: 0 to 40 minutes during each 40-minute intervention session.
Changes in Heart Rate (Finapres NOVA, Electrocardiogram-derived)
Time frame: 0 to 40 minutes during each 40-minute intervention session.
Change from Baseline in STAI-Y 1
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after each of the two 40-minute intervention sessions during the single study visit.
Change from Baseline in Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS)
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after each of the two 40-minute intervention sessions during the single study visit.
Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire (BMRQ)
Time frame: Baseline
MUSE questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline
Mindfulness Adherence Questionnaire (MAQ)
Time frame: Baseline
Modified Tellegen Absorption Scale (MODTAS)
Time frame: Baseline
Subjective Enjoyment (Visual Analogue Scale and Open-Ended Questions)
Time frame: Immediately after each of the two 40-minute intervention sessions during the single study visit.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Due to the sensitive nature of the data and the small sample size, which poses a risk of participant identification, the data will not be shared.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Kyle Greenway, MD principal investigator
Sir Mortimer B. Davis - Jewish General Hospital, McGill University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Music and Mindfulness in people with Music Listening Intervention and Mindfulness-based Intervention, run by Sir Mortimer B. Davis - Jewish General Hospital at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Changes in Blood Pressure (time frame: 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes during each 40-minute intervention session.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Sep 2026.