An interventional study of Music condition 1: Nostalgic music and Music condition 2: Comforting music in Loneliness, Social Connectedness and Music Listening Intervention, sponsored by Toronto Metropolitan University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Canada. Open to participants aged 70 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-27.
Sponsored by Toronto Metropolitan University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Loneliness has become an increasingly prevalent concern among older adults. A number of adverse physical and mental health outcomes may result from loneliness in this age group including cognitive decline and depression. These outcomes may lead to a higher strain on healthcare systems. Finding accessible and cost-effective strategies for reducing loneliness and increasing feelings of social connectedness is important for the well-being of older adults. Solo music listening is commonly used to regulate emotions and to promote well-being. While some preliminary evidence suggests that these benefits may extend to loneliness, research has not been clear on the functions or qualities of music that are most effective for older adults. This research project will consist of two parts. In Part 1, an interview will be conducted with older adults to determine what functions of music are most often used and most beneficial when their goal is to reduce loneliness. Part 2 will consist of a between-subjects experiment with four conditions. The top three characteristics obtained from Part 1 will represent the three music conditions, and the fourth condition will be a pink-noise control. Prior to the experiment, participants will self-select three pieces from each of the three music conditions. After selecting their music, they will be randomly assigned to either a music or pink-noise condition. Participants in the three music conditions will listen to the three self-selected pieces that adhere to their assigned condition. Loneliness and social connection outcomes will be assessed before and after listening using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Potential moderators will be assessed after listening, which include nostalgia, absorption in music, and music reward. The results of this project will clarify whether psychological benefits of decreased loneliness and increased social connectedness can be found through music listening to enhance well-being, and whether singing along provides additional benefits. These findings may also be useful in developing future music-based interventions for reducing loneliness.
Toronto Metropolitan University is the lead sponsor of 63 studies on the registry; 9 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
First type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition.
Behavioral: Music condition 1: Nostalgic music
Second type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition.
Behavioral: Music condition 2: Comforting music
Pink-noise control condition for approximately 15 minutes.
Behavioral: Control condition (pink-noise)
Third type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition.
Behavioral: Music condition 3: Distracting music
First type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition.
Second type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition.
Participants will listen to pink-noise sound for approximately 15 minutes.
Third type of music that participants could be assigned to listen to. Participants will listen to three pieces of self-selected music that correspond to their assigned music condition.
Change from Baseline in Loneliness Score After Music Listening
State Loneliness measured with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) on a scale from 0-100. 0 indicating lower loneliness, 100 indicating higher loneliness.
Time frame: Measured immediately before and immediately after music listening
Change from Baseline in Social Connectedness Score After Music Listening
Self-reported social connectedness measured using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from 0-100. 0 indicating lower social connectedness and 100 indicating higher social connectedness.
Time frame: Measured immediately before and immediately after music listening
Plan to share: Yes — Individual de-identified participant data for all baseline and outcome data will be shared on the Open Science Framework.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Statistical analysis plan, Informed consent form
Time frame: Data will become available available on the Open Science Framework (osf.io) when the pre-print of the study is uploaded to PsyArXiv. Data will be available on OSF indefinitely.
Access criteria: All supporting information will be publicly accessible on the Open Science Framework (osf.io)
Start is estimated for Mar 2026; primary completion for Dec 2027, 21 months later.
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This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Mar 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Toronto Metropolitan University