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Music Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Cancer Survivors

This study is comparing two types of therapy, music therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to see how well they reduce anxiety in people who have survived cancer. Both therapies will be given virtually (online). Researchers also want to understand if personal factors like age or how you think about therapy might affect how well these treatments work for you. You may be able to join if you are 18 or older, speak English or Spanish, have a history of cancer, and have experienced anxiety symptoms for at least one month. The study will measure changes in your anxiety levels at 8 weeks and 26 weeks to see if the therapies are successful. The current status of this study is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 368 participants to compare music therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. It is not specified if participants will know which treatment they are receiving.
What's involved
You would receive seven weekly 60-minute virtual therapy sessions. You would also complete assessments before starting therapy and at weeks 4, 8, 16, and 26. Some participants will have optional interviews after treatment.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your anxiety levels will be assessed at 8 weeks and again at 26 weeks after starting the study.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05215353

A Study Comparing Music Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Cancer Survivors

Recruiting
PHASE4Ages 18+InterventionalTreatment
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
~368 participants
Updated 2026-08-18 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Music TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapyassessments

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 3 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
HADS anxiety score changes
Measured over 8 weeks
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Survivorship

Explore related trials

AnxietyMalignant Neoplasm

Where it's being run

3 sites across 3 states
Florida1
New York1
Pennsylvania1

Study leadership

  • Jun Mao, MD, MSCE · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Who to contact

Jun Mao, MD, MSCE
[email protected]
646-608-8552
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

English- or Spanish-speaking
18 years or older
Prior cancer diagnosis of any type or stage
Free of oncological disease, or stable disease with no evidence of progression
Score of ≥8 on the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
Report anxiety symptoms lasting at least one month
Willing to adhere to all study-related procedures, including randomization to one of two treatment arms: MT or CBT
Access to Zoom and a quiet/private location
English-speaking
18 years or older
Advanced cancer diagnosis: stage III or IV lung cancer; any stage pancreatic cancer, unresectable cholangiocarcinoma, unresectable liver cancer, unresectable ampullary or peri-ampullary cancer, or other stage IV gastrointestinal cancer; stage III or IV ovarian or fallopian tube cancers or other stage IV gynecologic cancer; stage IV breast cancer; stage III testicular cancer or any stage IV genitourinary cancer; stage IV sarcoma; stage IV melanoma; stage IV endocrine cancer; lymphoma, myeloma, or leukemia
Currently receiving oncological treatment or on active surveillance
Karnofsky performance score of ≥60
Score of ≥8 on the HADS anxiety subscale
Anxiety symptoms lasting for at least 1 month
Greater than 6-month expected survival as judged by the treating oncologist
Willing to adhere to all study procedures
Access to Zoom and a quiet/private location
English-speaking
18 years or older
Prior cancer diagnosis of any type or stage
Free of oncological disease, or stable disease with no evidence of progression
Score of ≥8 on the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
Report anxiety symptoms lasting at least one month
Willing to adhere to all study-related procedures
Access to Zoom and a quiet/private location

Exclusion

Completed active cancer treatment (e.g., surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) less than one month prior to enrollment (maintenance hormonal or targeted therapies are allowed).
Active suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or substance abuse
Score of ≥10 indicative of cognitive impairment on the Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration
Received a treatment course of seven or greater MT or CBT sessions for anxiety symptoms within the last six months
Unable to provide informed consent for themselves
Active suicidal ideation; bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or substance abuse
Score of ≥10 on Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration
Prior receipt of MT within the past six months
Plan to receive any form of psychotherapy in the coming 8 weeks
Initiation or change in anxiety medications within the past 4 weeks
Plan to initiate or change anxiety medications in the coming 8 weeks
Unable to provide informed consent for themselves
Completed active cancer treatment (e.g., surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) less than one month prior to enrollment (maintenance hormonal or targeted therapies are allowed).
Active suicidal ideation; bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or substance abuse
Score of ≥10 on Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration
Prior receipt of MT within the past six months
Plan to receive any form of psychotherapy in the coming 8 weeks
Initiation or change in anxiety medications within the past 4 weeks
Unable to provide informed consent for themselves

What this trial measures

  • HADS anxiety score changes8 weeks

    Using the seven-item anxiety sub-scale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). A score of ≥8 indicates presence of anxiety symptoms.

  • HADS anxiety score changes26 weeks

    Using the seven-item anxiety sub-scale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). A score of ≥8 indicates presence of anxiety symptoms.