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Assessing Molecular Mechanisms and Effects of Music Therapy in Youth With Sickle Cell Disease Using Single-cell RNA-sequencing

Sponsor: Emory University • ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07562451

Registry updated: 2026-09-10

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Description

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a 4-week music therapy (MT) intervention can reduce chronic pain and improve psychosocial outcomes in youth with sickle cell disease (SCD). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does MT reduce pain intensity, frequency of pain episodes, and improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL)? * Does MT alter immune cell composition and gene expression in inflammatory pathways, as measured by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq)? Researchers will compare participants randomized to music therapy versus a control condition to see if MT produces superior improvements in pain and psychosocial outcomes, and distinct molecular changes.

Interventions

Music Therapy (Other)
The MT group will engage in 20-minute daily virtual music therapy sessions for 4 weeks, using the freely available Music Care© app (manufactured by MUSIC CARE) to independently participate in electronic music therapy following the U sequence. This app is voluntarily downloaded onto a participants personal device and participants will be instructed to complete daily MT sessions under optimal conditions (i.e., lying down, eyes closed, low lighting).
Standard of Care (Other)
Routinely available educational material on sickle cell disease management and a healthy lifestyle.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with SCD * English fluency (for survey completion) * Have access to a personal electronic device (e.g., phone, tablet) with access to the internet * Meet the criteria for chronic pain defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). IASP defines chronic pain as pain that is both: 1. Persistent or recurrent for ≥ 3 months 2. is associated with significant emotional distress or functional disability.30 Exclusion Criteria: * Major hearing deficiency or medical condition in which listening to music may be contraindicated (e.g., reflex epilepsy).

Conditions

Sickle Cell Disease

Locations

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta — Atlanta, Georgia, United States

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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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