The Synchrony Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Music Training for Children With a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
The Mind Research Network
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to examine if music training improves behavioral or cognitive performance in children with prenatal alcohol exposure who meet research criteria for a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does music training improve behavioral regulation for children with an FASD * Does music training improve cognitive performance (attention and working memory) for children with an FASD. The study has two interventions for each participant: music listening and piano training. Each participant will either practice piano daily for 12 weeks or listen to pre-selected music daily for 12 weeks. The order of the interventions will be randomized across participants. Assessment will occur before and after participation in each 12 week intervention.
Description
Music training has been shown to alter brain function and structure in musicians relative to nonmusicians. Music training requires a complex set of skills. By engaging in this activity, music training may alter brain development in children and increase cortical connectivity such that it provides improved self-regulation and cognitive performance. However, music training has not been tested in children with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, despite known behavioral and cognitive effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. The study will employ a randomized, cross-over design to examine the effects…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 8–16 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Children must receive a research designation of FASD * Children must have confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure Exclusion Criteria: * Children with other confirmed developmental disorders that are not deemed associated with FASD (e.g. autism spectrum disorder, Down Syndrome). Children with attention deficits (e.g. ADHD) are not excluded. * Children with neurological disorders (epilepsy, cerebral palsy, etc.) * Children who have experienced a traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness \>10 minutes * Children with intelligence quotient scores \<70 * Children who are…
Interventions
- BehavioralMusic listening
Daily music listening
- BehavioralPiano training
Daily piano practice
Location
- The Mind Research NetworkAlbuquerque, New Mexico