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Music Therapy for Refractory Epilepsy

This study is testing if listening to specific music can help reduce epileptic activity in adults with epilepsy that hasn't responded well to other treatments (medication-refractory focal epilepsy). You would listen to Music A, Music B, or Music C daily on your own device. Researchers will compare how these different types of music affect your brain activity, specifically looking for a reduction in epileptic episodes. To join, you must be an adult with medication-refractory focal epilepsy, have had a NeuroPace Responsive Neurostimulator (RNS) device implanted for at least six months, and be on a stable RNS treatment plan. The study aims to enroll 24 participants, but its current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This is a placebo-controlled, double-blinded randomized study, meaning neither you nor the researchers will know which music you are listening to. It plans to include 24 participants.
What's involved
You would listen to music daily on your personal device and attend all study visits, which will occur at Baseline, Week 3-4, Week 9-10, and Weeks 13-14 (approximately 4 1/2 months).
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary endpoint is measured over approximately 4 1/2 months, with the effect of music intervention expected to last at least one week after each intervention period.

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

NCT06425029

Self-administered ONe-of-a Kind Approach to Epilepsy Therapy Through a Web-based Music Application

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalBasic science
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
~24 participants
Updated 2026-05-20 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Experimental Intervention (Music A)Active Comparator Intervention (Music B)Active Comparator Intervention (Music C)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Music Intervention and its effects on epileptic activity in human brain
Measured over Baseline, Week 3-4, Week 9-10, and Weeks 13-14, (Approximately 4 1/2 Months)

Conditions

Epilepsy
Refractory Epilepsy
Music

Explore related trials

Seizure Disorder

Where it's being run

2 sites across 2 states
Massachusetts1
New Hampshire1

Study leadership

  • Brian C Fidali, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Who to contact

Anastasia Kanishcheva, MPH
[email protected]
603-650-0260
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adults with medication-refractory focal epilepsy who have undergone RNS implantation at least six months prior and are in the judgement of the treating physician on a stable RNS regimen in terms of stimulation
Willing to attend all study visits and complete all required study procedures
Access to private or public wireless data service at regular intervals
Access to personal mobile device

Exclusion

Documentation of a musicogenic, or auditory-triggered focal seizure semiology
Participant is unable to reasonably participate in study tasks as determined by the investigator
Inability to obtain informed consent from the patient or legally authorized representative

What this trial measures

  • Music Intervention and its effects on epileptic activity in human brainBaseline, Week 3-4, Week 9-10, and Weeks 13-14, (Approximately 4 1/2 Months)

    This measure aims to determine if specific music intervention has positive effect on epileptic activity in participants with responsive neurostimulation device (RNS) implanted for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). The effect will be measured as a change in the number of "long episodes" or epileptic activity in a participants' brain as detected and recorded by the RNS device before and after study music interventions.