LonelinessNCT07494604
The Role of Solo Music Listening in Reducing Loneliness and Increasing Social Connectedness in Older Adults
A study testing Music condition 1: Nostalgic music, Music condition 2: Comforting music and Music condition 3: Distracting music in people with Loneliness and Social Connectedness, run by Toronto Metropolitan University at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
Loneliness has become an increasingly prevalent concern among older adults. A number of adverse physical and mental health outcomes may result from loneliness in this age group including cognitive decline and depression. These outcomes may lead to a higher strain on healthcare systems. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 70 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Loneliness, Social Connectedness, Music Listening Intervention
- What is being tested?
- Music condition 1: Nostalgic music, Music condition 2: Comforting music and Music condition 3: Distracting music
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 15 Mar 2026to 20 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 70 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Over the age of 70
- Access to internet
Who cannot join
- Cognitive Impairment
- Self-reported hearing loss
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Canada1 site
Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2K3
George Chan, PhD, 416-979-5000 ext. 554989, george.chan@torontomu.ca
Kay Wright-Whyte, MSc, 416-979-5000 ext. 554989, kww@torontomu.ca
About this study
Loneliness has become an increasingly prevalent concern among older adults. A number of adverse physical and mental health outcomes may result from loneliness in this age group including cognitive decline and depression. These outcomes may lead to a higher strain on healthcare systems. Finding accessible and cost-effective strategies for reducing loneliness and increasing feelings of social connectedness is important for the well-being of older adults. Solo music listening is commonly used to regulate emotions and to promote well-being. While some preliminary evidence suggests that these benefits may extend to loneliness, research has not been clear on the functions or qualities of music that are most effective for older adults. This research project will consist of two parts. In Part 1, an interview will be conducted with older adults to determine what functions of music are most often used and most beneficial when their goal is to reduce loneliness. Part 2 will consist of a between-subjects experiment with four conditions. The top three characteristics obtained from Part 1 will represent the three music conditions, and the fourth condition will be a pink-noise control. Prior to the experiment, participants will self-select three pieces from each of the three music conditions. After selecting their music, they will be randomly assigned to either a music or pink-noise condition. Participants in the three music conditions will listen to the three self-selected pieces that adhere to their assigned condition. Loneliness and social connection outcomes will be assessed before and after listening using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Potential moderators will be assessed after listening, which include nostalgia, absorption in music, and music reward. The results of this project will clarify whether psychological benefits of decreased loneliness and increased social connectedness can be found through music listening to enhance well-being, and whether singing along provides additional benefits. These findings may also be useful in developing future music-based interventions for reducing loneliness.
- Being tested
- Music condition 1: Nostalgic music, Music condition 2: Comforting music, Control condition (pink-noise), Music condition 3: Distracting music
- Keywords
- music, loneliness, social conectedness, older adults, aging, music listening
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Music condition 1: Nostalgic musicBehavioural
First type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition.
Music condition 2: Comforting musicBehavioural
Second type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition.
Control condition (pink-noise)Behavioural
Participants will listen to pink-noise sound for approximately 15 minutes.
Music condition 3: Distracting musicBehavioural
Third type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Music condition 1: Nostalgic music | Experimental | First type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition. Receives: Behavioral: Music condition 1: Nostalgic music |
| Music condition 2: Comforting music | Experimental | Second type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition. Receives: Behavioral: Music condition 2: Comforting music |
| Control condition (pink-noise) | Sham comparator | Pink-noise control condition for approximately 15 minutes. Receives: Behavioral: Control condition (pink-noise) |
| Music condition 3: Distracting music | Experimental | Third type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition. Receives: Behavioral: Music condition 3: Distracting music |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change from Baseline in Loneliness Score After Music Listening
State Loneliness measured with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) on a scale from 0-100. 0 indicating lower loneliness, 100 indicating higher loneliness.
Measured: Measured immediately before and immediately after music listening
Change from Baseline in Social Connectedness Score After Music Listening
Self-reported social connectedness measured using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from 0-100. 0 indicating lower social connectedness and 100 indicating higher social connectedness.
Measured: Measured immediately before and immediately after music listening
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Mar 2026
- Study start15 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion20 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion20 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (12)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for LonelinessStudies 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants in this study will either be assigned to one of three music conditions or a pink-noise control condition.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Toronto Metropolitan University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Frank Russo, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Investigators
- Frank Russo, PhD, Principal investigator, Toronto Metropolitan University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07494604
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 021SL Music & Loneliness
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 11 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 27 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Individual de-identified participant data for all baseline and outcome data will be shared on the Open Science Framework.
Publications
Zhou X, Sedikides C, Wildschut T, Gao DG. Counteracting loneliness: on the restorative function of nostalgia. Psychol Sci. 2008 Oct;19(10):1023-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02194.x.
PubMed 19000213Tarr B, Launay J, Dunbar RI. Music and social bonding: "self-other" merging and neurohormonal mechanisms. Front Psychol. 2014 Sep 30;5:1096. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01096. eCollection 2014.
PubMed 25324805Statistics Canada. (2025, February). Table 45-10-0049-01 Loneliness by gender and other selected sociodemographic characteristics. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25318/4510004901-eng
Schäfer, K., Saarikallio, S., & Eerola, T. (2020). Music may reduce loneliness and act as social surrogate for a friend: Evidence from and experimental listening study. Music & Science, 3, 1-16.
Saeri AK, Cruwys T, Barlow FK, Stronge S, Sibley CG. Social connectedness improves public mental health: Investigating bidirectional relationships in the New Zealand attitudes and values survey. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2018 Apr;52(4):365-374. doi: 10.1177/0004867417723990. Epub 2017 Aug 12.
PubMed 28803484Randall, W. M., Baltazar, M., & Saarikallio, S. (2022). Success in reaching affect self-regulation goals through everyday music listening. Journal of New Music Research, 51(2-3), 243-258. https://doi.org/10.1080/09298215.2023.2187310
Kurt, D., & Alpar, S. E. (2021). The effect of music therapy on the sense of loneliness of elderly living in nursing home. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 14(2), 930-936.
Klil-Drori S, Bodenstein KC, Sun S, Kojok L, Gruber J, Ghantous Y, Cummings J, Nasreddine Z. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) XpressO: Validation of a digital self-administered cognitive prescreening tool. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2024 Aug;72(8):2516-2522. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18902. Epub 2024 Apr 1.
PubMed 38558263Gerst-Emerson K, Jayawardhana J. Loneliness as a public health issue: the impact of loneliness on health care utilization among older adults. Am J Public Health. 2015 May;105(5):1013-9. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302427. Epub 2015 Mar 19.
PubMed 25790413Cacioppo S, Grippo AJ, London S, Goossens L, Cacioppo JT. Loneliness: clinical import and interventions. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2015 Mar;10(2):238-49. doi: 10.1177/1745691615570616.
PubMed 25866548Boer, D., & Fischer, R. (2012). Towards a holistic model of functions of music listening across cultures: A culturally decentred qualitative approach. Psychology of Music, 40(2), 179-200. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735610381885
Beller J. Loneliness and mortality: The moderating effect of positive affect. Appl Psychol Health Well Being. 2023 Feb;15(1):49-65. doi: 10.1111/aphw.12354. Epub 2022 Mar 1.
PubMed 35233957
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Role of Solo Music Listening in Reducing Loneliness and Increasing Social Connectedness in Older Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07494604
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 021SL Music & Loneliness
- Keywords
- music, loneliness, social conectedness, older adults, aging, music listening
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Toronto Metropolitan UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
- Study start
- 15 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 20 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 20 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 27 Mar 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.
Loneliness has become an increasingly prevalent concern among older adults. A number of adverse physical and mental health outcomes may result from loneliness in this age group including cognitive decline and depression. These outcomes may lead to a higher strain on healthcare systems. Finding accessible and cost-effective strategies for reducing loneliness and increasing feelings of social connectedness is important for the well-being of older adults. Solo music listening is commonly used to regulate emotions and to promote well-being. While some preliminary evidence suggests that these benefits may extend to loneliness, research has not been clear on the functions or qualities of music that are most effective for older adults. This research project will consist of two parts. In Part 1, an interview will be conducted with older adults to determine what functions of music are most often used and most beneficial when their goal is to reduce loneliness. Part 2 will consist of a between-subjects experiment with four conditions. The top three characteristics obtained from Part 1 will represent the three music conditions, and the fourth condition will be a pink-noise control. Prior to the experiment, participants will self-select three pieces from each of the three music conditions. After selecting their music, they will be randomly assigned to either a music or pink-noise condition. Participants in the three music conditions will listen to the three self-selected pieces that adhere to their assigned condition. Loneliness and social connection outcomes will be assessed before and after listening using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Potential moderators will be assessed after listening, which include nostalgia, absorption in music, and music reward. The results of this project will clarify whether psychological benefits of decreased loneliness and increased social connectedness can be found through music listening to enhance well-being, and whether singing along provides additional benefits. These findings may also be useful in developing future music-based interventions for reducing loneliness.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 4
- Model description
- Participants in this study will either be assigned to one of three music conditions or a pink-noise control condition.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Music condition 1: Nostalgic music | Experimental | Behavioral: Music condition 1: Nostalgic musicFirst type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition. |
| Music condition 2: Comforting music | Experimental | Behavioral: Music condition 2: Comforting musicSecond type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition. |
| Control condition (pink-noise) | Sham comparator | Behavioral: Control condition (pink-noise)Pink-noise control condition for approximately 15 minutes. |
| Music condition 3: Distracting music | Experimental | Behavioral: Music condition 3: Distracting musicThird type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 70 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Over the age of 70
- Access to internet
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Cognitive Impairment
- Self-reported hearing loss
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Music condition 1: Nostalgic musicFirst type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition. | Behavioural | Music condition 1: Nostalgic music |
| Music condition 2: Comforting musicSecond type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition. | Behavioural | Music condition 2: Comforting music |
| Control condition (pink-noise)Participants will listen to pink-noise sound for approximately 15 minutes. | Behavioural | Control condition (pink-noise) |
| Music condition 3: Distracting musicThird type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition. | Behavioural | Music condition 3: Distracting music |
Primary outcome
Change from Baseline in Loneliness Score After Music Listening
Time frame: Measured immediately before and immediately after music listening
State Loneliness measured with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) on a scale from 0-100. 0 indicating lower loneliness, 100 indicating higher loneliness.
Change from Baseline in Social Connectedness Score After Music Listening
Time frame: Measured immediately before and immediately after music listening
Self-reported social connectedness measured using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from 0-100. 0 indicating lower social connectedness and 100 indicating higher social connectedness.
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 27 Mar 2026.
- Background: PubMed 19000213Zhou X, Sedikides C, Wildschut T, Gao DG. Counteracting loneliness: on the restorative function of nostalgia. Psychol Sci. 2008 Oct;19(10):1023-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02194.x.
- Background: PubMed 25324805Tarr B, Launay J, Dunbar RI. Music and social bonding: "self-other" merging and neurohormonal mechanisms. Front Psychol. 2014 Sep 30;5:1096. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01096. eCollection 2014.
- BackgroundStatistics Canada. (2025, February). Table 45-10-0049-01 Loneliness by gender and other selected sociodemographic characteristics. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25318/4510004901-eng
- BackgroundSchäfer, K., Saarikallio, S., & Eerola, T. (2020). Music may reduce loneliness and act as social surrogate for a friend: Evidence from and experimental listening study. Music & Science, 3, 1-16.
- Background: PubMed 28803484Saeri AK, Cruwys T, Barlow FK, Stronge S, Sibley CG. Social connectedness improves public mental health: Investigating bidirectional relationships in the New Zealand attitudes and values survey. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2018 Apr;52(4):365-374. doi: 10.1177/0004867417723990. Epub 2017 Aug 12.
- BackgroundRandall, W. M., Baltazar, M., & Saarikallio, S. (2022). Success in reaching affect self-regulation goals through everyday music listening. Journal of New Music Research, 51(2-3), 243-258. https://doi.org/10.1080/09298215.2023.2187310
- BackgroundKurt, D., & Alpar, S. E. (2021). The effect of music therapy on the sense of loneliness of elderly living in nursing home. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 14(2), 930-936.
- Background: PubMed 38558263Klil-Drori S, Bodenstein KC, Sun S, Kojok L, Gruber J, Ghantous Y, Cummings J, Nasreddine Z. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) XpressO: Validation of a digital self-administered cognitive prescreening tool. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2024 Aug;72(8):2516-2522. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18902. Epub 2024 Apr 1.
- Background: PubMed 25790413Gerst-Emerson K, Jayawardhana J. Loneliness as a public health issue: the impact of loneliness on health care utilization among older adults. Am J Public Health. 2015 May;105(5):1013-9. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302427. Epub 2015 Mar 19.
- Background: PubMed 25866548Cacioppo S, Grippo AJ, London S, Goossens L, Cacioppo JT. Loneliness: clinical import and interventions. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2015 Mar;10(2):238-49. doi: 10.1177/1745691615570616.
- BackgroundBoer, D., & Fischer, R. (2012). Towards a holistic model of functions of music listening across cultures: A culturally decentred qualitative approach. Psychology of Music, 40(2), 179-200. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735610381885
- Background: PubMed 35233957Beller J. Loneliness and mortality: The moderating effect of positive affect. Appl Psychol Health Well Being. 2023 Feb;15(1):49-65. doi: 10.1111/aphw.12354. Epub 2022 Mar 1.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Individual de-identified participant data for all baseline and outcome data will be shared on the Open Science Framework.
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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.
Frank Russo, PhD principal investigator
Toronto Metropolitan University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Music condition 1: Nostalgic music, Music condition 2: Comforting music and Music condition 3: Distracting music in people with Loneliness and Social Connectedness, run by Toronto Metropolitan University at 1 site in Canada.
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 2 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 27 Mar 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 Canada. 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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 Rachel Ulrich, BA (Hons) (416-979-5000 ext. 554989, rulrich@torontomu.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change from Baseline in Loneliness Score After Music Listening (time frame: Measured immediately before and immediately after music listening). The study lists 2 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 NCT07494604, which also lists 12 linked publications.
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 27 Mar 2026.