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Describing the Effect of Familiar Song on Arousal and Awareness for Children With Disorders of Consciousness (DoC)

Sponsor: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute • ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07209657

Registry updated: 2026-09-02

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Description

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effect of live music therapy and recorded music on recovery of consciousness in children aged 1 to 18 years who have a disorder of consciousness (DoC) after a severe brain injury. Researchers also want to learn how children respond during music and noise, whether early responses to music are linked to recovery at 6 months, and how parents experience music therapy during their child's hospital stay at The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne. Participants will: * Take part in a 10-day study period while in hospital. On 8 of the 10 days, they will receive either live or recorded familiar music in random order. Their level of consciousness will be measured before and after each session using a simple behavioural checklist. On the other 2 days, they will take part in video-recorded sessions to compare behavioural responses during live music, recorded music, and white noise. Videos will help capture small changes in movement, eye gaze, or facial expression. * Have their level of consciousness checked again at 6 months after injury to see if early responses relate to later recovery. Parents and caregivers will be invited to take part in an interview about their experiences and observations of music therapy with their child. This study will help researchers understand whether live music therapy provides benefits beyond recorded music and will guide how music therapy is best used to support children and families during recovery from severe brain injury.

Interventions

Live Music Therapy (Behavioral)
The recorded music interventions will consist of the presentation of commercially available recordings of participant preferred music. The songs utilised in the recorded music interventions will be the same as those presented during the live music therapy interventions, and only the presentation format will be different. The same music therapist who facilitates the live music therapy interventions will be present in the participant's room during the presentation of the recorded music intervention and will present the recorded music via iPad and small portable speaker.
Recorded Music (Behavioral)
The recorded music interventions will consist of the presentation of commercially available recordings of participant preferred music. The songs utilised in the recorded music interventions will be the same as those presented during the live music therapy interventions, and only the presentation format will be different. The same music therapist who facilitates the live music therapy interventions will be present in the participant's room during the presentation of the recorded music intervention and will present the recorded music via iPad and small portable speaker.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of a severe ABI, as indicated by at least one of the following: * Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 3-8 at admission to RCH * Mass pathology evident on neuroimaging * Expert opinion of treating consultant * Diagnosis of a DoC, as indicated by at least one of the following: * Rancho Los Amigos Scale I, II, III or IV * Expert opinion of treating consultant * Legally acceptable representative capable of understanding the informed consent document and providing consent on the participant's behalf. Interpreters will be employed as necessary. Exclusion Criteria: * ABI not compatible with life/child expected to die * ABI resulting from suspected non-accidental causes, including assault/abuse * Diagnosed premorbid or acquired severe hearing loss * Inability or unwillingness of legally acceptable representative to give written informed consent

Conditions

Disorder of Consciousness Acquired Brain Injury

Locations

The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne — Parkville, Victoria, Australia

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Official Source

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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