AnxietyGMT2025NCT07393581
Group Music Therapy for Emotional Well-Being and Social Connectedness
A study testing Active Group Music Therapy and Receptive Group Music Therapy in people with Anxiety and Emotional Well-Being, run by Chinese University of Hong Kong at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether two formats of group music therapy can improve emotional well-being, self-rated health, and social connectedness among undergraduate students living in urban areas in China. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 26 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Anxiety, Emotional Well-Being, Social Connectedness
- What is being tested?
- Active Group Music Therapy and Receptive Group Music Therapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 2 May 2023to 30 Jun 2023
- 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 26 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Undergraduate university students aged 18 to 26 years
- Living in an urban area in China
- Able to attend weekly in-person group sessions for 6 weeks
- Provided written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Self-reported severe active clinical diagnosis
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Group Music Therapy, Emotional Well-Being, Health, and Social Connectedness Among University Students in Urban China: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether two formats of group music therapy can improve emotional well-being, self-rated health, and social connectedness among undergraduate students living in urban areas in China. A total of 120 students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) active group music therapy, (2) receptive group music therapy, or (3) a waitlist control group.
Both music therapy programs were delivered in person over 6 weeks, with one 60-minute session per week facilitated by trained music therapists. The active format emphasized participatory music-making (e.g., singing, rhythmic activities, and group improvisation), while the receptive format focused on guided music listening and reflection.
Participants completed self-report questionnaires at baseline and immediately after the 6-week period assessing positive and negative affect, anxiety symptoms, general health, and perceived social connectedness. The study examined whether the two music therapy approaches led to improvements compared with the waitlist control condition.
Read the detailed description
This study used a parallel-group randomized controlled design to examine the effects of two structured formats of group music therapy on emotional well-being, anxiety symptoms, self-rated health, and social connectedness among undergraduate students in urban China. Participants were recruited through university announcements and campus-based advertisements. Eligible participants provided informed consent and completed baseline assessments before being randomly allocated to one of three conditions: active group music therapy, receptive group music therapy, or a waitlist control group.
The intervention period lasted 6 weeks. Participants assigned to either music therapy condition attended weekly in-person group sessions of approximately 60 minutes in small groups (10-15 participants). Sessions were delivered by trained music therapists using standardized protocols to ensure structural equivalence across conditions. The active group music therapy format emphasized participatory music-making (e.g., group singing, rhythmic call-and-response, body percussion, and collaborative musical activities) and included brief guided group discussion at the end of each session. The receptive group music therapy format emphasized guided music listening, music-assisted imagery/visualization, reflective writing or moderated discussion, and relaxation/breathing exercises.
Participants in the waitlist control condition did not receive any intervention during the 6-week study period but completed the same baseline and post-intervention assessments as the intervention groups. After completion of the study, waitlist participants were offered the option to attend one group music therapy session.
All outcomes were assessed using self-report measures administered at baseline and immediately after the 6-week period.
- Conditions
- Anxiety, Emotional Well-Being, Social Connectedness
- Being tested
- Active Group Music Therapy, Receptive Group Music Therapy
- Keywords
- group music therapy, active music therapy, receptive music therapy
- Medical subject headings
- Anxiety Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Active Group Music TherapyBehavioural
Active group music therapy delivered in person once weekly for 6 weeks (60 minutes per session). Activities included group singing, rhythmic call-and-response, body percussion, simple percussion instruments, and collaborative musical games.
Receptive Group Music TherapyBehavioural
Receptive group music therapy delivered in person once weekly for 6 weeks (60 minutes per session). Activities included guided music listening, music-assisted imagery/visualization, reflective writing or moderated discussion, and breathing/relaxation exercises.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active Music Therapy (MT-A) | Experimental | Weekly in-person active group music therapy sessions for 6 weeks (60 minutes per session; groups of 10-15 participants) facilitated by trained music therapists. Sessions included group singing, rhythmic improvisation using body percussion or simple instruments, collaborative musical games, and brief guided group discussion. Receives: Behavioral: Active Group Music Therapy |
| Receptive Music Therapy (MT-R) | Experimental | Weekly in-person receptive group music therapy sessions for 6 weeks (60 minutes per session; groups of 10-15 participants) facilitated by trained music therapists. Sessions included guided music listening, music-assisted imagery/visualization, reflective writing or moderated discussion, and breathing/relaxation exercises. Receives: Behavioral: Receptive Group Music Therapy |
| Waitlist Control | No intervention | Participants received no sessions during the 6-week study period and completed baseline and post-intervention assessments. After study completion, participants were offered the option to attend one group music therapy session. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 total score)
Anxiety symptoms assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7). Higher scores indicate greater anxiety severity.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (6 weeks)
Secondary outcomes (4)
Positive affect (I-PANAS-SF Positive Affect subscale)
Positive affect assessed using the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form (I-PANAS-SF), Positive Affect subscale. Higher scores indicate higher positive affect.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (6 weeks)
Negative affect (I-PANAS-SF Negative Affect subscale)
Negative affect assessed using the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form (I-PANAS-SF), Negative Affect subscale. Higher scores indicate higher negative affect.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (6 weeks)
Self-rated general health (SF-36 General Health subscale)
General health assessed using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), General Health subscale. Scores are transformed to a 0-100 scale, with higher scores indicating better perceived health.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (6 weeks)
Social connectedness (Social Connectedness Scale-Revised)
Social connectedness assessed using the Social Connectedness Scale-Revised (SCS-R), Social Connectedness subscale. Higher scores indicate stronger perceived social connectedness.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (6 weeks)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Feb 2026
- Study start2 May 2023
- Primary completion26 Jun 2023
- Study completion30 Jun 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for AnxietyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Chinese University of Hong KongThe 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
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Yangzhou University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ling Yang, Chinese University of Hong Kong
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07393581
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- GMT2025
- Acronym
- GMT2025
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 6 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data and study materials will be made publicly available via the Open Science Framework (OSF).
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Group Music Therapy, Emotional Well-Being, Health, and Social Connectedness Among University Students in Urban China: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07393581
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- GMT2025 / GMT2025
- Conditions
- Anxiety, Emotional Well-Being, Social Connectedness
- Keywords
- group music therapy, active music therapy, receptive music therapy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Chinese University of Hong KongUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Yangzhou University
- Study start
- 2 May 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 26 Jun 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 6 Feb 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 randomized controlled trial evaluated whether two formats of group music therapy can improve emotional well-being, self-rated health, and social connectedness among undergraduate students living in urban areas in China. A total of 120 students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) active group music therapy, (2) receptive group music therapy, or (3) a waitlist control group.
Both music therapy programs were delivered in person over 6 weeks, with one 60-minute session per week facilitated by trained music therapists. The active format emphasized participatory music-making (e.g., singing, rhythmic activities, and group improvisation), while the receptive format focused on guided music listening and reflection.
Participants completed self-report questionnaires at baseline and immediately after the 6-week period assessing positive and negative affect, anxiety symptoms, general health, and perceived social connectedness. The study examined whether the two music therapy approaches led to improvements compared with the waitlist control condition.
Detailed description
This study used a parallel-group randomized controlled design to examine the effects of two structured formats of group music therapy on emotional well-being, anxiety symptoms, self-rated health, and social connectedness among undergraduate students in urban China. Participants were recruited through university announcements and campus-based advertisements. Eligible participants provided informed consent and completed baseline assessments before being randomly allocated to one of three conditions: active group music therapy, receptive group music therapy, or a waitlist control group.
The intervention period lasted 6 weeks. Participants assigned to either music therapy condition attended weekly in-person group sessions of approximately 60 minutes in small groups (10-15 participants). Sessions were delivered by trained music therapists using standardized protocols to ensure structural equivalence across conditions. The active group music therapy format emphasized participatory music-making (e.g., group singing, rhythmic call-and-response, body percussion, and collaborative musical activities) and included brief guided group discussion at the end of each session. The receptive group music therapy format emphasized guided music listening, music-assisted imagery/visualization, reflective writing or moderated discussion, and relaxation/breathing exercises.
Participants in the waitlist control condition did not receive any intervention during the 6-week study period but completed the same baseline and post-intervention assessments as the intervention groups. After completion of the study, waitlist participants were offered the option to attend one group music therapy session.
All outcomes were assessed using self-report measures administered at baseline and immediately after the 6-week period.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Active Music Therapy (MT-A) | Experimental | Behavioral: Active Group Music TherapyWeekly in-person active group music therapy sessions for 6 weeks (60 minutes per session; groups of 10-15 participants) facilitated by trained music therapists. Sessions included group singing, rhythmic improvisation using body percussion or simple instruments, collaborative musical games, and brief guided group discussion. |
| Receptive Music Therapy (MT-R) | Experimental | Behavioral: Receptive Group Music TherapyWeekly in-person receptive group music therapy sessions for 6 weeks (60 minutes per session; groups of 10-15 participants) facilitated by trained music therapists. Sessions included guided music listening, music-assisted imagery/visualization, reflective writing or moderated discussion, and breathing/relaxation exercises. |
| Waitlist Control | No intervention | –Participants received no sessions during the 6-week study period and completed baseline and post-intervention assessments. After study completion, participants were offered the option to attend one group music therapy session. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 26 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Undergraduate university students aged 18 to 26 years
- Living in an urban area in China
- Able to attend weekly in-person group sessions for 6 weeks
- Provided written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Self-reported severe active clinical diagnosis
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Active Group Music TherapyActive group music therapy delivered in person once weekly for 6 weeks (60 minutes per session). Activities included group singing, rhythmic call-and-response, body percussion, simple percussion instruments, and collaborative musical games. | Behavioural | Active Music Therapy (MT-A) |
| Receptive Group Music TherapyReceptive group music therapy delivered in person once weekly for 6 weeks (60 minutes per session). Activities included guided music listening, music-assisted imagery/visualization, reflective writing or moderated discussion, and breathing/relaxation exercises. | Behavioural | Receptive Music Therapy (MT-R) |
Primary outcome
Anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 total score)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (6 weeks)
Anxiety symptoms assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7). Higher scores indicate greater anxiety severity.
4 secondary outcomes
Positive affect (I-PANAS-SF Positive Affect subscale)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (6 weeks)
Negative affect (I-PANAS-SF Negative Affect subscale)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (6 weeks)
Self-rated general health (SF-36 General Health subscale)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (6 weeks)
Social connectedness (Social Connectedness Scale-Revised)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (6 weeks)
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 6 Feb 2026.
- Open Science Framework (OSF) page with study materials and de-identified data for this trial.Link provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data and study materials will be made publicly available via the Open Science Framework (OSF).
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Active Group Music Therapy and Receptive Group Music Therapy in people with Anxiety and Emotional Well-Being, run by Chinese University of Hong Kong at 1 site in China.
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 1 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 6 Feb 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 China. 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?
Anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 total score) (time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (6 weeks)). 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 6 Feb 2026.