Could a 3-Minute cartoon lift your spirits? a 3,000-Person trial puts art to the test

NCT ID NCT07740148

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Stanford University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 31, 2026 · Last updated Aug 05, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This online trial asks whether a brief, human-created animated art film—featuring 2D animation, dance, song, and music—can immediately improve psychological well-being. About 3,000 U.S. adults will be randomly assigned to watch the human-made film, an AI-generated comparison video, or do nothing, and then report their feelings of moral elevation and empathy right afterward. The study aims to see if a short artistic experience can inspire positive emotions and whether human-created art has a unique effect compared to AI-generated content.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: A brief (~3-minute) human-created animated art film featuring 2D animation, dance, song, and instrumental music.
What this could lead to: If watching a short human-made animated film reliably boosts feelings of elevation and empathy, it could point toward simple, accessible ways to improve everyday psychological well-being.
What could go wrong: This is an early online study measuring only immediate, self-reported feelings—not long-term effects. The results may not generalize beyond the specific film or the participant group, and the comparison with an AI-generated film may not fully capture real-world viewing experiences.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Psychological Well-Being

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL BEING

Contacts and locations

Locations

Prolific Academic Online Academic Research Platform
ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION

Palo Alto, California, 94304, United States
Stanford University
RECRUITING

Stanford, California, 94305, United States

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