A Study Comparing Music Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Cancer Survivors
Eligible age
18+ yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
3 states
Healthy volunteers
No
See if you qualify for this study
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About this study
The researchers are doing this study to compare how music therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, given virtually, may be able to reduce anxiety in people who have had cancer. In addition, this study will see if certain factors affect how well participants respond to music therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. For example, the researchers will see if personal characteristics (like age, sex, race, and education) and ways of thinking (like expectations of therapy) may affect how well participants respond.
Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
You may qualify if…
- ✓ 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
You may not qualify if…
- ✕ 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
Where it's recruiting
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT05215353 · last updated 2026-08-18