Sonic Augmentation TechnologyNCT06902506
Exploring the Effects of Sonic Augmentation Technology in Music
A study testing Augmented Music and Non-augmented Music in people with Sonic Augmentation Technology, run by University of Florida at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Brief Summary: It is the specific intent of this proposal to experimentally explore the possible benefits and mechanisms through which Sonic Augmentation Technology in music can influence emotional health, embodiment, and autonomic functioning. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 89 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Sonic Augmentation Technology
- What is being tested?
- Augmented Music and Non-augmented Music
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 76 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 5 May 2025to 29 Aug 2027
- 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 89 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Between the ages of 18 and 89
- Proficient in English
Who cannot join
- Under the age of 18
- Over the age of 89
- Limited English Proficiency
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Exploring the Effects of Sonic Augmentation Technology in Music on Feelings and Biobehavioral State
Brief Summary:
It is the specific intent of this proposal to experimentally explore the possible benefits and mechanisms through which Sonic Augmentation Technology in music can influence emotional health, embodiment, and autonomic functioning. The main goals of the study are:
Read more
- To examine the immediate effects of listening to the music.
- To identify individual characteristics that influence the effectiveness of listening to the music.
- Phase 1 ONLY: To examine whether the participants who received the augmented theme reported more improvements than the participants who received the non-augmented theme.
Participants will be asked to attend a scheduled online Zoom meeting where they will:
- Listen to 15-minutes of music
- Complete a pre-music and post-music online survey
- Phase 1 ONLY: Attend the lecture/discussion with Dr. Porges and Anthony Gorry on theory and science underlying sonic augmentation technology and the experiences it aims to evoke.
Read the detailed description
Detailed Description:
It is the specific intent of this proposal to experimentally explore the possible benefits and mechanisms through which Sonic Augmentation Technology (SAT) in music can influence emotional health, embodiment, and autonomic functioning. This will be accomplished by our team by using well-validated self-report measures of mental health and autonomic reactivity.
Specific Aims:
Specific Aim 1: To examine the immediate effects of SAT in music
•The researchers will explore whether SAT in music leads to improvements in the functioning.
Specific Aim 2: To identify individual characteristics that influence the effectiveness of listening to the music.
- The researchers will explore the impact of specific vulnerability and resiliency factors (e.g., prior mental and medical adversity) on how well participants benefit from listening to the music.
- The researchers will explore the impact of wearing headphones on how well participants benefit from listening to the music.
Phase 1 Experimental design:
Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Sonic Augmentation Technology-enhanced music condition or a control condition featuring the same musical theme without the enhancement. Participants will be asked to attend one virtual session via Zoom where they will:
- Listen to 15-minutes of music
- Complete a pre-music and post-music online survey
- Attend the lecture/discussion with Dr. Porges and Anthony Gorry on theory and science underlying sonic augmentation technology and the experiences it aims to evoke.
Phase 2 Experimental design:
Participants will be asked to attend one virtual session via Zoom where they will:
- Listen to 15-minutes of music
- Complete a pre-music and post-music online survey
- At a later date, participants will be offered the opportunity to attend an optional meeting where results will be disseminated, and Dr. Stephen Porges will be offering insights into the theory and science underlying sonic augmentation technology and the experiences it aims to evoke.
- Conditions
- Sonic Augmentation Technology
- Being tested
- Augmented Music, Non-augmented Music
- Keywords
- Polyvagal Theory, Relaxation, Autonomic Reactivity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Augmented MusicBehavioural
Phase 1 \& 2: The music is augmented by embedding the natural rhythms of bodily functions (e.g. breathing, heart rate variability, vascular tone, etc) that signal the body to calm.
Non-augmented MusicBehavioural
Phase 1 ONLY: Same melodic theme without the augmentation.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Augmented Group | Experimental | Phase 1 \& 2: Participants will first complete the pre-music survey. They will then listen to 15 minutes of augmented music. Afterward, participants will complete the post-music survey. Receives: Behavioral: Augmented Music |
| Non-augmented Group | Active comparator | Phase 1 ONLY: Participants will first complete the pre-music survey. They will then listen to 15-minutes of the same musical theme without the augmentation. Afterward, participants will complete the post-music survey. Receives: Behavioral: Non-augmented Music |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Assessing the Impact of Autonomic Reactivity using the Body Perceptions Inventory Short Form
This 20-item measure is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (never = 1, occasionally = 2, sometimes = 3, usually = 4, always = 5). Items are summed to determine total autonomic reactivity score, with the higher scores indicating greater autonomic reactivity
Measured: Baseline
Assessing the Impact of Adversity History
This measure assesses the impact of six types of traumatic experiences (childhood adverse experiences, childhood maltreatment, intimate partner maltreatment, other person maltreatment, life-threatening situations, sudden losses, and person health situations). Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (did not occur = 0, occurred and no impact on my life = 1 to big impact on my life = 4). Items are summed to determine total impact scores.
Measured: Baseline
Measuring Change in subjective feelings of calmness and autonomic state using the Benefits List
This 20-item measure, which assesses subjective feelings of calmness and autonomic state was created for this study. Each item is scored on a 7-point Likert scale (0 = Not at all, 3 = Somewhat, 6 = Extremely). Higher scores on the scale generally represent increased feelings of calmness and a more balanced autonomic state.
Measured: From baseline through study completion, an average of 65 minutes
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Mar 2025
- Study start5 May 2025
- Primary completion29 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion29 Aug 2027 (estimated)
Why it stopped: Keeping the study open for future recruitment.
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Sonic Augmentation TechnologyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of FloridaThe 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
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Phase 1: Participants will be randomly assigned to the augmented or non-augmented music group. Both groups will complete an online pre-music survey. Following the 15-minutes of music, participants will complete an online post-music survey. Phase 2: Participants will complete an online pre-music survey. Then, they will listen to 15-minutes of augmented music. Following the 15-minutes of music, participants will complete an online post-music survey.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 76 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Florida
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Lourdes P Dale, BS, Principal investigator, University of Florida
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06902506
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB202500241
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Mar 2025
- Last updated
- 8 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: IPD will not be available.
Publications
Dale LP, Dana AN, Lee CE, Lamont H, Van Vleet Goelz D, Dale CV, Nazarloo P, McIntosh M, Cuffe SP. Feasibility study examining the short-term effects of Sonic Augmentation Technology. Front Psychiatry. 2026 Jun 8;17:1772405. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1772405. eCollection 2026.
PubMed 42338740
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Exploring the Effects of Sonic Augmentation Technology in Music on Feelings and Biobehavioral State
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06902506
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB202500241
- Conditions
- Sonic Augmentation Technology
- Keywords
- Polyvagal Theory, Relaxation, Autonomic Reactivity
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- SuspendedReason stopped: Keeping the study open for future recruitment.
- Enrolment
- 76 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of FloridaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 29 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 29 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 30 Mar 2025 (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.
Brief Summary:
It is the specific intent of this proposal to experimentally explore the possible benefits and mechanisms through which Sonic Augmentation Technology in music can influence emotional health, embodiment, and autonomic functioning. The main goals of the study are:
- To examine the immediate effects of listening to the music.
- To identify individual characteristics that influence the effectiveness of listening to the music.
- Phase 1 ONLY: To examine whether the participants who received the augmented theme reported more improvements than the participants who received the non-augmented theme.
Participants will be asked to attend a scheduled online Zoom meeting where they will:
- Listen to 15-minutes of music
- Complete a pre-music and post-music online survey
- Phase 1 ONLY: Attend the lecture/discussion with Dr. Porges and Anthony Gorry on theory and science underlying sonic augmentation technology and the experiences it aims to evoke.
Detailed description
Detailed Description:
It is the specific intent of this proposal to experimentally explore the possible benefits and mechanisms through which Sonic Augmentation Technology (SAT) in music can influence emotional health, embodiment, and autonomic functioning. This will be accomplished by our team by using well-validated self-report measures of mental health and autonomic reactivity.
Specific Aims:
Specific Aim 1: To examine the immediate effects of SAT in music
•The researchers will explore whether SAT in music leads to improvements in the functioning.
Specific Aim 2: To identify individual characteristics that influence the effectiveness of listening to the music.
- The researchers will explore the impact of specific vulnerability and resiliency factors (e.g., prior mental and medical adversity) on how well participants benefit from listening to the music.
- The researchers will explore the impact of wearing headphones on how well participants benefit from listening to the music.
Phase 1 Experimental design:
Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Sonic Augmentation Technology-enhanced music condition or a control condition featuring the same musical theme without the enhancement. Participants will be asked to attend one virtual session via Zoom where they will:
- Listen to 15-minutes of music
- Complete a pre-music and post-music online survey
- Attend the lecture/discussion with Dr. Porges and Anthony Gorry on theory and science underlying sonic augmentation technology and the experiences it aims to evoke.
Phase 2 Experimental design:
Participants will be asked to attend one virtual session via Zoom where they will:
- Listen to 15-minutes of music
- Complete a pre-music and post-music online survey
- At a later date, participants will be offered the opportunity to attend an optional meeting where results will be disseminated, and Dr. Stephen Porges will be offering insights into the theory and science underlying sonic augmentation technology and the experiences it aims to evoke.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Phase 1: Participants will be randomly assigned to the augmented or non-augmented music group. Both groups will complete an online pre-music survey. Following the 15-minutes of music, participants will complete an online post-music survey. Phase 2: Participants will complete an online pre-music survey. Then, they will listen to 15-minutes of augmented music. Following the 15-minutes of music, participants will complete an online post-music survey.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Augmented Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Augmented MusicPhase 1 \& 2: Participants will first complete the pre-music survey. They will then listen to 15 minutes of augmented music. Afterward, participants will complete the post-music survey. |
| Non-augmented Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Non-augmented MusicPhase 1 ONLY: Participants will first complete the pre-music survey. They will then listen to 15-minutes of the same musical theme without the augmentation. Afterward, participants will complete the post-music survey. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 89 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Between the ages of 18 and 89
- Proficient in English
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Under the age of 18
- Over the age of 89
- Limited English Proficiency
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Augmented MusicPhase 1 \& 2: The music is augmented by embedding the natural rhythms of bodily functions (e.g. breathing, heart rate variability, vascular tone, etc) that signal the body to calm. | Behavioural | Augmented Group |
| Non-augmented MusicPhase 1 ONLY: Same melodic theme without the augmentation. | Behavioural | Non-augmented Group |
Primary outcome
Assessing the Impact of Autonomic Reactivity using the Body Perceptions Inventory Short Form
Time frame: Baseline
This 20-item measure is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (never = 1, occasionally = 2, sometimes = 3, usually = 4, always = 5). Items are summed to determine total autonomic reactivity score, with the higher scores indicating greater autonomic reactivity
Assessing the Impact of Adversity History
Time frame: Baseline
This measure assesses the impact of six types of traumatic experiences (childhood adverse experiences, childhood maltreatment, intimate partner maltreatment, other person maltreatment, life-threatening situations, sudden losses, and person health situations). Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (did not occur = 0, occurred and no impact on my life = 1 to big impact on my life = 4). Items are summed to determine total impact scores.
Measuring Change in subjective feelings of calmness and autonomic state using the Benefits List
Time frame: From baseline through study completion, an average of 65 minutes
This 20-item measure, which assesses subjective feelings of calmness and autonomic state was created for this study. Each item is scored on a 7-point Likert scale (0 = Not at all, 3 = Somewhat, 6 = Extremely). Higher scores on the scale generally represent increased feelings of calmness and a more balanced autonomic state.
Results and safety
Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Sep 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42338740Dale LP, Dana AN, Lee CE, Lamont H, Van Vleet Goelz D, Dale CV, Nazarloo P, McIntosh M, Cuffe SP. Feasibility study examining the short-term effects of Sonic Augmentation Technology. Front Psychiatry. 2026 Jun 8;17:1772405. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1772405. eCollection 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. IPD will not be available.
Related trials for Sonic Augmentation Technology
Recruiting
Plasma Oxytocin Changes in Response to Music Modified by Sonic Augmentation Technology
Sonic Augmentation Technology
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.
Lourdes P Dale, BS principal investigator
University of Florida
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Augmented Music and Non-augmented Music in people with Sonic Augmentation Technology, run by University of Florida 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 2 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: paused, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 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?
Results are not available in the source record.
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?
Assessing the Impact of Autonomic Reactivity using the Body Perceptions Inventory Short Form (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06902506, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 Sep 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 3 Nov 2026.