Preventative HealthRESONATENCT07632391
Reducing School Dropout and Enhancing Pupils' Sense of Belonging and Participation Through Co-created Music-based Activities
A study testing Group music activity, co-created by pupils and music therapists, 1x/week over 1 school semester and Usual school schedule over 1 school semester in people with Preventative Health and Well-Being, Psychological, run by NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS at 16 sites in Norway.
Trial summary
RESONATE is a cluster-randomised crossover trial focusing on reducing school dropout rates and fostering belonging through co-created music-based activites, by combining music therapy (MT), psychology, and social sciences. About 200 participants will be recruited in the area of Bergen, Norway. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 15 to 25 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Preventative Health, Well-Being, Psychological, Salutogenesis
- What is being tested?
- Group music activity, co-created by pupils and music therapists, 1x/week over 1 school semester and Usual school schedule over 1 school semester
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 200 participants
- Where
- 16 sitesNorway
- Study dates
- 15 Aug 2026to 23 Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 15 to 25 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Pupils from the area Bergen, Norway.
- High school pupils.
- Sufficient Scandinavian language skills.
- Between age 15-25.
Who cannot join
- Does not speak a Scandinavian language sufficiently.
- Planning to change school during the school year.
- Uncorrected hearing impairment.
Trial locations and contacts
16 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
16 sites in 1 country
Norway16 sites
Give Music A Chance - Norway
Bergen, Vestland, 5004
Christian Lund, +4748421406, christian@givemusicachance.no
NAV Vestland
Bergen, Vestland, 5004
Thorleif Øivind Madsen Nesse, +4740606621, Thorleif.Nesse@nav.no
Hyssingen Produksjonsskole
Bergen, Vestland, 5009
Baste Bruarøy, +4797196055, baste.bruaroy@vlfk.no
Møhlenpris idrettslag
Bergen, Vestland, 5010
Brent Hackman, +4799210977, brenthackman@milidrett.no
Stiftelsen Vestnorsk Jazzsenter
Bergen, Vestland, 5011
Nina Torske, +4797697424, nina@vestnorskjazzsenter.no
Amalie Skram videregående skole
Bergen, Vestland, 5015
Lars Berntsen, +4799757795, Lars.Berntsen@vlfk.no
Bergen kommune, Bergen Offentlige Bibliotek
Bergen, Vestland, 5015
Sverre Helge Bolstad, +4792066683, sverre.bolstad@bergen.kommune.no
Vestland Fylkeskommune Opplæring og Kompetanse
Bergen, Vestland, 5020
Odd Bjarne Berdal, +4799233975, odd.berdal@vlfk.no
Årstad videregående skole
Bergen, Vestland, 5824
Kari Danielsen, +4799479832, Kari.Danielsen@vlfk.no
Stiftinga Bergen Katedralskole
Bergen, Vestland, 5832
Karen Kristine Rasmussen, +4797146043, Karen.Kristine.Rasmussen@vlfk.no
Nordahl Grieg videregående skole
Bergen, Vestland, 5857
Anita Jensen Ystebø, +4792446903, anita.jensen.ystebo@vlfk.no
Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge
Borre, 3199
Monika Thollefsen, +4731009185, monika.thollefsen@usn.no
Fyllingsdalen videregående skole
Fyllingsdalen, Vestland, 5143
Trond Botnen, +4798405151, Trond.Botnen@vlfk.no
Knarvik videregående skole
Isdalstø, Vestland, 5916
Ulrik Schütz, +4790604879, Ulrik.Schutz@vlfk.no
Olsvikåsen videregående skole
Olsvik, Vestland, 5183
Helene Systad, +4792252093, Helene.Systad@vlfk.no
Sotra videregående skole
Straume, Vestland, 5353
Olav Lee, +4756310274, Olav.Lee@vlfk.no
About this study
Official title: Reducing School Dropout and Enhancing Pupils' Sense of Belonging and Participation Through Co-created Music-based Activities: The RESONATE Cluster-randomised Crossover Trial
RESONATE is a cluster-randomised crossover trial focusing on reducing school dropout rates and fostering belonging through co-created music-based activites, by combining music therapy (MT), psychology, and social sciences.
About 200 participants will be recruited in the area of Bergen, Norway. They will be randomized into the following intervention arms: group music activity followed by usual school schedule or usual school schedule followed by group music activity.
Read the detailed description
RESONATE is a research initiative with researchers from Norway, Finland, and Denmark, and cultural organizations, the project employs an interdisciplinary approach combining music therapy, psychology, and social sciences. By engaging pupils, teachers, and community stakeholders, RESONATE develops and implements music interventions that promote emotional well-being, social inclusion, and resilience. These interventions align with Norway's current national school curriculum (LK20) and are informed by evidence-based research, including studies from WHO and music therapy scholars. Activities such as music-making and listening enhance social interaction, self-expression, and emotional support-key factors in reducing dropout risks.
The project follows a co-creation process, ensuring that interventions are designed with direct input from pupils and educators. A mixed-methods research approach, evaluates the impact of music activities on pupil engagement and well-being. Findings will be shared with policymakers, educators, the school sector, and welfare services to develop a transferable model applicable to schools nationally and internationally.
- Conditions
- Preventative Health, Well-Being, Psychological, Salutogenesis, Mastery
- Being tested
- Group music activity, co-created by pupils and music therapists, 1x/week over 1 school semester, Usual school schedule over 1 school semester
- Keywords
- Music therapy, Mental health, Adolescent, Music-based intervention, High school, Young adult, School dropout, Positive youth development
- Medical subject headings
- Psychological Well-Being
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Group music activity, co-created by pupils and music therapists, 1x/week over 1 school semesterBehavioural
Group music activity is a music therapy intervention where participants will performe activites such as songwriting, music production and singing. The sessions will be conducted by an appropriately qualified music therapist, with support from the teacher and the researcher.
Usual school schedule over 1 school semesterBehavioural
The participants will at first only attend a ordinary school schedule over 1 semester without group music activity. The next semester the participants will be followed by group music activity plus orinary school schedule.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group music activity plus usual school schedule followed by usual school schedule alone | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Group music activity, co-created by pupils and music therapists, 1x/week over 1 school semester; Behavioral: Usual school schedule over 1 school semester |
| Usual school schedule alone followed by group music activity plus usual school schedule | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Group music activity, co-created by pupils and music therapists, 1x/week over 1 school semester; Behavioral: Usual school schedule over 1 school semester |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Absence from school (any reason)
Days of absence from school for any reason per semester, from school records
Measured: 4 months, 10 months
Secondary outcomes (9)
Absence from school (unexcused)
Days of unexcused absence from school per semester, from school records
Measured: 4 months, 10 months
Healthy Use of Music Scale (HUMS Healthy)
Self-reported healthy music use. The scale consists of 5 items, each scored 1-5, to produce a total sum score from 5-25. Higher scores indicate more favourable use of music.
Measured: 0 months, 4 months, 6 months, 10 months
Generalised Resistance Resources in School Scale (GRRS)
Self-reported generalised resistance resources in school. The scale consists of 9 items, each scored 1-5, to produce a total sum score from 9-45. Higher scores indicate a more favourable outcome (high degree of generalised resistance resources). Additionally there are 3 subscales (relational quality; task mastery in school; school motivation).
Measured: 0 months, 4 months, 6 months, 10 months
Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS)
Self-reported well-being. The scale consists of 14 items, each scored 1-5, summed to to produce a global score from 14-70. Higher scores indicate better mental well-being.
Measured: 0 months, 4 months, 6 months, 10 months
Academic engagement (subscale of Positive Youth Development, PYD)
Self-reported academic engagement. The scale consists of 5 items, each scored 1-5. Mean scores are estimated. Score from 1-5. Higher scores indicate higher levels of academic engagement.
Measured: 0 months, 4 months, 6 months, 10 months
Positive values (subscale of Positive Youth Development, PYD)
Self-reported positive values. The scale consists of 10 items, each scored 1-5. Mean scores are estimated. Score from 1-5. Higher scores indicate higher levels of positive values.
Measured: 0 months, 4 months, 6 months, 10 months
Social competencies (subscale of Positive Youth Development, PYD)
Self-reported social competencies. The scale consists of 8 items, each scored 1-5. Mean scores are estimated. Score from 1-5. Higher scores indicate higher levels of social competencies.
Measured: 0 months, 4 months, 6 months, 10 months
UCLA Loneliness Scale, short version
Self-reported loneliness. The scale consists of 3 items, each scored 1-3, to produce a total sum score from 3-9. Higher scores indicate less favourable outcomes (greater loneliness).
Measured: 0 months, 4 months, 6 months, 10 months
Adverse events
Serious or non-serious, related or unrelated to study activities; reported by teachers
Measured: 4 months, 10 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Jun 2026
- Study start15 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion23 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion23 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Preventative HealthStudies 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
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Model description
- Cluster-randomised, school-based, crossover trial, with semester as intervention period and school holidays as washout period
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of South-Eastern Norway, Nordahl Grieg videregående skole, STIFTINGA BERGEN KATEDRALSKOLE, Årstad videregående skole, Hyssingen Produksjonsskole, Knarvik videregående skole, Sotra videregående skole, Amalie Skram videregående skole, Olsvikåsen videregående skole, VESTLAND FYLKESKOMMUNE OPPLÆRING OG KOMPETANSE, STIFTELSEN VESTNORSK JAZZSENTER, Fyllingsdalen videregående skole, Møhlenpris idrettslag, GIVE MUSIC A CHANCE - NORWAY, NAV Vestland, Bergen kommune, Bergen Offentlige Bibliotek, Aalborg University, Department of Communication & Psychology, University of Jyvaskyla
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Christian Gold, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07632391
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- RESONATE
- Other IDs
- ES747784
- Acronym
- RESONATE
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 2 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 8 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified curated data will be made available permanently in publicly accessible repositories (e.g. OSF.io) using FAIR principles (e.g. using digital object identifiers \[DOIs\]; open, non-proprietary data formats; clear, consistent meta-data, using international standards for data structure where available; and licensed for re-use through CC BY). To balance the needs of trial participants for protection of their sensitive health data (in accordance with informed consent) and the needs of the scientific community for data availability, we will follow the principle "as closed as necessary, as open as possible". Results summaries will also be posted at Clinicaltrials.gov after the project end.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Reducing School Dropout and Enhancing Pupils' Sense of Belonging and Participation Through Co-created Music-based Activities: The RESONATE Cluster-randomised Crossover Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07632391
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- RESONATE / RESONATE
- Conditions
- Preventative Health, Well-Being, Psychological, Salutogenesis, Mastery
- Keywords
- Music therapy, Mental health, Adolescent, Music-based intervention, High school, Young adult, School dropout, Positive youth development
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- NORCE Norwegian Research Centre ASUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of South-Eastern Norway, Nordahl Grieg videregående skole, STIFTINGA BERGEN KATEDRALSKOLE, Årstad videregående skole, Hyssingen Produksjonsskole, Knarvik videregående skole, Sotra videregående skole, Amalie Skram videregående skole, Olsvikåsen videregående skole, VESTLAND FYLKESKOMMUNE OPPLÆRING OG KOMPETANSE, STIFTELSEN VESTNORSK JAZZSENTER, Fyllingsdalen videregående skole, Møhlenpris idrettslag, GIVE MUSIC A CHANCE - NORWAY, NAV Vestland, Bergen kommune, Bergen Offentlige Bibliotek, Aalborg University, Department of Communication & Psychology, University of Jyvaskyla
- Study start
- 15 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 23 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 23 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 Jun 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.
RESONATE is a cluster-randomised crossover trial focusing on reducing school dropout rates and fostering belonging through co-created music-based activites, by combining music therapy (MT), psychology, and social sciences.
About 200 participants will be recruited in the area of Bergen, Norway. They will be randomized into the following intervention arms: group music activity followed by usual school schedule or usual school schedule followed by group music activity.
Detailed description
RESONATE is a research initiative with researchers from Norway, Finland, and Denmark, and cultural organizations, the project employs an interdisciplinary approach combining music therapy, psychology, and social sciences. By engaging pupils, teachers, and community stakeholders, RESONATE develops and implements music interventions that promote emotional well-being, social inclusion, and resilience. These interventions align with Norway's current national school curriculum (LK20) and are informed by evidence-based research, including studies from WHO and music therapy scholars. Activities such as music-making and listening enhance social interaction, self-expression, and emotional support-key factors in reducing dropout risks.
The project follows a co-creation process, ensuring that interventions are designed with direct input from pupils and educators. A mixed-methods research approach, evaluates the impact of music activities on pupil engagement and well-being. Findings will be shared with policymakers, educators, the school sector, and welfare services to develop a transferable model applicable to schools nationally and internationally.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Cluster-randomised, school-based, crossover trial, with semester as intervention period and school holidays as washout period
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group music activity plus usual school schedule followed by usual school schedule alone | Experimental | Behavioral: Group music activity, co-created by pupils and music therapists, 1x/week over 1 school semester, Behavioral: Usual school schedule over 1 school semester |
| Usual school schedule alone followed by group music activity plus usual school schedule | Experimental | Behavioral: Group music activity, co-created by pupils and music therapists, 1x/week over 1 school semester, Behavioral: Usual school schedule over 1 school semester |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 15 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Pupils from the area Bergen, Norway.
- High school pupils.
- Sufficient Scandinavian language skills.
- Between age 15-25.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Does not speak a Scandinavian language sufficiently.
- Planning to change school during the school year.
- Uncorrected hearing impairment.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Group music activity, co-created by pupils and music therapists, 1x/week over 1 school semesterGroup music activity is a music therapy intervention where participants will performe activites such as songwriting, music production and singing. The sessions will be conducted by an appropriately qualified music therapist, with support from the teacher and the researcher. | Behavioural | Group music activity plus usual school schedule followed by usual school schedule alone, Usual school schedule alone followed by group music activity plus usual school schedule |
| Usual school schedule over 1 school semesterThe participants will at first only attend a ordinary school schedule over 1 semester without group music activity. The next semester the participants will be followed by group music activity plus orinary school schedule. | Behavioural | Group music activity plus usual school schedule followed by usual school schedule alone, Usual school schedule alone followed by group music activity plus usual school schedule |
Primary outcome
Absence from school (any reason)
Time frame: 4 months, 10 months
Days of absence from school for any reason per semester, from school records
9 secondary outcomes
Absence from school (unexcused)
Time frame: 4 months, 10 months
Healthy Use of Music Scale (HUMS Healthy)
Time frame: 0 months, 4 months, 6 months, 10 months
Generalised Resistance Resources in School Scale (GRRS)
Time frame: 0 months, 4 months, 6 months, 10 months
Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS)
Time frame: 0 months, 4 months, 6 months, 10 months
Academic engagement (subscale of Positive Youth Development, PYD)
Time frame: 0 months, 4 months, 6 months, 10 months
Positive values (subscale of Positive Youth Development, PYD)
Time frame: 0 months, 4 months, 6 months, 10 months
Social competencies (subscale of Positive Youth Development, PYD)
Time frame: 0 months, 4 months, 6 months, 10 months
UCLA Loneliness Scale, short version
Time frame: 0 months, 4 months, 6 months, 10 months
Adverse events
Time frame: 4 months, 10 months
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified curated data will be made available permanently in publicly accessible repositories (e.g. OSF.io) using FAIR principles (e.g. using digital object identifiers [DOIs]; open, non-proprietary data formats; clear, consistent meta-data, using international standards for data structure where available; and licensed for re-use through CC BY). To balance the needs of trial participants for protection of their sensitive health data (in accordance with informed consent) and the needs of the scientific community for data availability, we will follow the principle "as closed as necessary, as open as possible". Results summaries will also be posted at Clinicaltrials.gov after the project end.
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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.
16 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Group music activity, co-created by pupils and music therapists, 1x/week over 1 school semester and Usual school schedule over 1 school semester in people with Preventative Health and Well-Being, Psychological, run by NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS at 16 sites in Norway.
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 4 inclusion and 3 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 16 sites in Norway. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Viggo Krüger, PhD (+4799534628, viggo.kruger@uib.no), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Absence from school (any reason) (time frame: 4 months, 10 months). 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 8 Jun 2026.