Childhood Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System NeoplasmNCT07729384
Strengthening Teen Brain Resilience Using Music Intervention to Improve Radiation Induced Cognitive Decline for Adolescents Undergoing Radiation Therapy for Cancer Treatment
A study testing Interview, Music Therapy and Survey Administration in people with Childhood Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm and Childhood Malignant Solid Neoplasm, run by Mayo Clinic at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This clinical trial tests the feasibility and acceptability of the Strengthening Teen Brain Resilience Using Music (STRUM) intervention to improve radiation induced cognitive decline for adolescents undergoing radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 12 to 17 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Childhood Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm, Childhood Malignant Solid Neoplasm
- What is being tested?
- Interview, Music Therapy and Survey Administration
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Oct 2026to 1 Nov 2028
- 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 12 to 17 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Aged 12-17 years at the time of enrollment
- Receiving initial radiation therapy (RT) for cancer treatment with curative intent at the Mayo Clinic Arizona
- Able to provide assent
- Able to read and write in English
- Have access to an electronic device with videoconferencing capability
Who cannot join
- Less than three-month prognosis
- Past history of RT
- Self-reported visual, hearing, or cognitive impairment impeding the ability to complete the STRUM intervention
- Prior receipt of ukulele or guitar lessons
- Actively receiving musical instrument lessons
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site
Mayo Clinic in Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona, 85259
Robert Bennett, PhD, RN, 480-301-4394
C. Robert Bennett, PhD, RN
About this study
Official title: Strengthening Teen Brain Resilience Using Music (STRUM) During Cancer Treatment: A Pilot Feasibility Trial
This clinical trial tests the feasibility and acceptability of the Strengthening Teen Brain Resilience Using Music (STRUM) intervention to improve radiation induced cognitive decline for adolescents undergoing radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Adolescents treated with radiation therapy for cancer often experience persistent cognitive deficits and reduced brain resilience or the ability to preserve cognitive and emotional functioning despite stressors. Musical instrument training has been shown to enhance memory, academic skills, and emotional well-being in youth. Although guitars are often the most preferred instrument, ukuleles offer greater accessibility due to their simplicity, affordability, and suitability for younger users. The STRUM intervention consists of virtual active music therapy ukulele lessons, which may be a feasible and acceptable way to improve radiation induced cognitive decline for adolescents undergoing radiation therapy for cancer treatment.
- Being tested
- Interview, Music Therapy, Survey Administration
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
InterviewOther
Ancillary studies
Music TherapyProcedure or surgery
Attend STRUM sessions
Survey AdministrationOther
Ancillary studies
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Supportive care (STRUM sessions) | Experimental | Patients receive a ukulele, tuner, and songbook and attend virtually delivered ukulele lessons over 30 minutes each, once weekly, for 10 weeks. Intervention sessions are structured with stair-stepping difficulty with each lesson concluding with learning a new song. Ten optional supplemental video-recorded lessons (approximately 15 minutes each) will be available for patients to view asynchronously and use for independent practice between weekly sessions. Patients are encouraged to practice their skills independently for at least 90 minutes per week. At the conclusion of the study, patients may attend an optional virtual "Encore Concert Event" remotely, featuring audio-video clips compiled from participants' lessons. Receives: Other: Interview; Procedure: Music Therapy; Other: Survey Administration |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Percentage of eligible participants who consent to participate in this study (feasibility)
Feasibility defined as achieving a ≥ 70% consent rate among eligible participants.
Measured: At time of enrollment
Proportion of Strengthening Teen Brain Resilience Using Music (STRUM) sessions completed (feasibility)
Participants will receive 10 weekly 30-minute virtual ukulele lessons over ten weeks. Basic descriptive statistical analyses will be performed.
Measured: Up to 10 weeks
Average weekly practice minutes
Assessed by patient self-report. Participants will be encouraged to practice their skills independently for at least 90 minutes per week. Basic descriptive statistical analyses will be performed.
Measured: Up to 10 weeks
Percentage of participants who complete ≥ 90% of the measures at each timepoint (feasibility)
Basic descriptive statistical analyses will be performed.
Measured: Baseline, week 6, week 12, week 20
Acceptability of the STRUM intervention
Defined as mean Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM) score of ≥ 3/4, supported by exit interview feedback. Basic descriptive statistical analyses will be performed. The AIM is a study-specific measure that consists of 4 questions, each answered on a scale of 1 (completely disagree) to 5 (completely agree). Higher scores indicate greater acceptability.
Measured: Approximately 2 weeks following end of intervention (week 12)
Participant perspective on meaningfulness of the STRUM intervention
Assessed by exit interview feedback. Participants will complete semi-structured exit interviews (approximately 30-minute duration). Exit interview transcripts will be analyzed and coded using thematic analyses. Thematic findings will be used to refine the intervention design and delivery.
Measured: Approximately 2 weeks following end of intervention (week 12)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Jul 2026
- Study start1 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Nov 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Nov 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Childhood Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System NeoplasmStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Mayo ClinicThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Mayo Clinic
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- C. Robert Bennett, PhD, RN, Principal investigator, Mayo Clinic
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07729384
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 25-014110
- Other IDs
- NCI-2026-03943, R34CA317559
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 22 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 11 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Strengthening Teen Brain Resilience Using Music (STRUM) During Cancer Treatment: A Pilot Feasibility Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07729384
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 25-014110
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Mayo ClinicUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Study start
- 1 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Nov 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Nov 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 27 Jul 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.
This clinical trial tests the feasibility and acceptability of the Strengthening Teen Brain Resilience Using Music (STRUM) intervention to improve radiation induced cognitive decline for adolescents undergoing radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Adolescents treated with radiation therapy for cancer often experience persistent cognitive deficits and reduced brain resilience or the ability to preserve cognitive and emotional functioning despite stressors. Musical instrument training has been shown to enhance memory, academic skills, and emotional well-being in youth. Although guitars are often the most preferred instrument, ukuleles offer greater accessibility due to their simplicity, affordability, and suitability for younger users. The STRUM intervention consists of virtual active music therapy ukulele lessons, which may be a feasible and acceptable way to improve radiation induced cognitive decline for adolescents undergoing radiation therapy for cancer treatment.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Supportive care (STRUM sessions) | Experimental | Other: Interview, Procedure: Music Therapy, Other: Survey AdministrationPatients receive a ukulele, tuner, and songbook and attend virtually delivered ukulele lessons over 30 minutes each, once weekly, for 10 weeks. Intervention sessions are structured with stair-stepping difficulty with each lesson concluding with learning a new song. Ten optional supplemental video-recorded lessons (approximately 15 minutes each) will be available for patients to view asynchronously and use for independent practice between weekly sessions. Patients are encouraged to practice their skills independently for at least 90 minutes per week. At the conclusion of the study, patients may attend an optional virtual "Encore Concert Event" remotely, featuring audio-video clips compiled from participants' lessons. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 12 to 17 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Aged 12-17 years at the time of enrollment
- Receiving initial radiation therapy (RT) for cancer treatment with curative intent at the Mayo Clinic Arizona
- Able to provide assent
- Able to read and write in English
- Have access to an electronic device with videoconferencing capability
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Less than three-month prognosis
- Past history of RT
- Self-reported visual, hearing, or cognitive impairment impeding the ability to complete the STRUM intervention
- Prior receipt of ukulele or guitar lessons
- Actively receiving musical instrument lessons
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 |
|---|---|---|
| InterviewAncillary studies | Other | Supportive care (STRUM sessions) |
| Music TherapyAttend STRUM sessions | Procedure or surgery | Supportive care (STRUM sessions) |
| Survey AdministrationAncillary studies | Other | Supportive care (STRUM sessions) |
Primary outcome
Percentage of eligible participants who consent to participate in this study (feasibility)
Time frame: At time of enrollment
Feasibility defined as achieving a ≥ 70% consent rate among eligible participants.
Proportion of Strengthening Teen Brain Resilience Using Music (STRUM) sessions completed (feasibility)
Time frame: Up to 10 weeks
Participants will receive 10 weekly 30-minute virtual ukulele lessons over ten weeks. Basic descriptive statistical analyses will be performed.
Average weekly practice minutes
Time frame: Up to 10 weeks
Assessed by patient self-report. Participants will be encouraged to practice their skills independently for at least 90 minutes per week. Basic descriptive statistical analyses will be performed.
Percentage of participants who complete ≥ 90% of the measures at each timepoint (feasibility)
Time frame: Baseline, week 6, week 12, week 20
Basic descriptive statistical analyses will be performed.
Acceptability of the STRUM intervention
Time frame: Approximately 2 weeks following end of intervention (week 12)
Defined as mean Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM) score of ≥ 3/4, supported by exit interview feedback. Basic descriptive statistical analyses will be performed. The AIM is a study-specific measure that consists of 4 questions, each answered on a scale of 1 (completely disagree) to 5 (completely agree). Higher scores indicate greater acceptability.
Participant perspective on meaningfulness of the STRUM intervention
Time frame: Approximately 2 weeks following end of intervention (week 12)
Assessed by exit interview feedback. Participants will complete semi-structured exit interviews (approximately 30-minute duration). Exit interview transcripts will be analyzed and coded using thematic analyses. Thematic findings will be used to refine the intervention design and delivery.
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 11 Sep 2026.
- Mayo Clinic Clinical TrialsLink provided by the sponsor.
Related trials for Childhood Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm
RecruitingObservational study
Quality of End-of-Life Care for Children With Cancer
Childhood Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm, Childhood Malignant Solid Neoplasm
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.
C. Robert Bennett, PhD, RN principal investigator
Mayo Clinic
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Interview, Music Therapy and Survey Administration in people with Childhood Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm and Childhood Malignant Solid Neoplasm, run by Mayo Clinic at 1 site in United States.
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 5 inclusion and 5 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 11 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 United States. 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 Robert Bennett, PhD, RN (480-301-4394, bennett.robert@mayo.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Percentage of eligible participants who consent to participate in this study (feasibility) (time frame: At time of enrollment). The study lists 6 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 11 Sep 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 26 Oct 2026.