Recruiting

Music-4-MS

Sponsor:

University of Texas at Austin

Code:

NCT07759115

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Pathologic Processes

Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS

Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System

Nervous System Diseases

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Music Training Intervention

Music Listening

Study Details

Brief summary:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) rates in the U.S. have nearly doubled over the past decade, making it a leading cause of nontraumatic functional impairment in young adults and significantly affecting cognitive function in up to 70% of people with MS. While traditional cognitive rehabilitation methods are limited in sensory engagement, music training offers a multisensory approach that enhances neuroplasticity and improves cognitive functions. This study investigates the feasibility of Music-4-MS, a 12-week music-based eHealth intervention, to support cognitive and emotional health in individuals with MS.

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Pathologic Processes

Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS

Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System

Nervous System Diseases

Study ID

NCT07759115

Start date

Aug 10, 2026

Status verified date

Aug, 2026

Completion date

Aug, 2028

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Mar, 2028

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (relapsing remitting, secondary progressive, primary progressive)
  • Diagnosed more than 6 months prior to starting study
  • Self-reported cognitive impairment as assessed by having at leased 5 problems "sometimes" or more often on the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire
  • Read, write, and understand English
  • Access to internet

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosed with another neurological condition that causes cognitive impairment
  • MS exacerbation within the last 30 days
  • Professional musician (primary source of income)

Study Design

Enrollment

64 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Supportive Care

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Musical Training Intervention

Participants randomized to this arm receive a 12-week intervention to teach them how to play the ukulele. The ukulele is a very manageable instrument to learn and requires less hand dexterity than other stringed instruments. Each week participants will follow the musical training intervention (MTI) protocol that provides instruction on how to tune, hold, and strum the ukulele and play basic chords. To practice the chords, they will also learn popular songs (e.g., Chain of Fools, Three Little Birds, Happy Birthday, Just the Way You Are, and Coconut). Participants will be instructed to follow each session outlined weekly and asked to practice the instrument for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week. They will be given a paper and digital version of the MTI protocol. A member of our research team will call the participants weekly to answer any questions about the MTI protocol.

active comparator: Music Listening

Participants randomized to this arm will be asked to listen to their preferred music for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week. A member of our research team will call them every week to answer any questions they have about the ML protocol. They will be asked to record their experience in a daily log.

Interventions

Music Training Intervention

The Music Training Intervention (MTI) entails 12-weeks of online instruction to learn to play the ukulele. Participants will be taught the basic information on how to hold the ukulele, musical chords, strum and play popular songs. They will be instructed to play at least 30-minutes a day, five days a week.

Music Listening

Participants randomized to this arm will be asked to listen to their preferred music for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week. A member of our research team will call them every week to answer any questions they have about the ML protocol. They will be asked to record their experience in a daily log

Primary outcome measure

  • Feasibility: Engagement [ Time Frame: Immediately post-intervention ]
  • Feasibility: Retention [ Time Frame: Immediately post-intervention ]
  • Feasibility: Recruitment [ Time Frame: Immediately post-intervention ]
  • Musical Training Intervention Acceptability [ Time Frame: Immediately post-intervention ]
  • Music Listening Intervention Acceptability [ Time Frame: Immediately post-intervention ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Carolyn Phillips, PhD, RN

512-475-7039carolyn.phillips@nursing.utexas.edu

Locations

University of Texas at Austin

Recruiting

Austin, Texas, United States, 78712

Contacts

Carolyn Phillips, PhD, RN

512-475-7039music4ms@nursing.utexas.edu

More Information

Sponsor

University of Texas at Austin

Last update posted

Aug 17, 2026

Last verified

Aug, 2026

Keywords

  • Cognitive rehabilitation

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-09. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Texas at Austin on 2026-08-17.