Beat the blues: drumming circles tested for Alzheimer's pain and stress
NCT ID NCT07602283
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study explores whether group drumming or music listening can improve pain, stress, and brain function in people with early Alzheimer's, mild dementia, or mild cognitive impairment, as well as their caregivers. Over 8 weeks, 60 participants will attend weekly sessions while researchers measure pain sensitivity, stress hormones, and brain activity. The goal is to understand how music-based activities might help both patients and their care partners feel better.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- group drumming session or music-listening session
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, drug-free way to help manage pain and stress for people with early Alzheimer's and their caregivers.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study (60 people) with no control group comparison, so results may not be generalizable. The benefits might be small or not last long-term.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 60 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2026
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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50 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical Dementia Rating 0.5 - 2 * Be a person with or caregiver to a person with a diagnosis of early Alzheimer's Disease, mild dementia, and/or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and chronic pain defined as non-cancer pain lasting \>3 months that occurs most days and limits life or work activities OR Be a caregiver to a person with a diagnosis of early Alzheimer's Disease, mild dementia, and/or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and chronic pain defined as non-cancer pain lasting \>3 months that occurs most days and limits life or work activities * Able to provide informed consent * Willing to wear an EEG headset and heart rate monitoring devices * Willing to answer survey questions about topics related to the study * Willing to be audio / video recorded * Willing to undergo QST, blood draw, heart rate data collection and cognitive testing Exclusion Criteria: * Clinical Dementia Rating \<0.5 or \> 2 * Unable to provide informed consent * Endorsing suicidal ideation (SI), self-injurious behavior, or homicidal ideation (HI) above the threshold defined in the "Risk Reduction and Safety Plan" * Participating in another clinical trial studying AD and/or Dementia * Starting a new prescription medication in the last 4 weeks * Taking central nervous system acting medications that may interfere with study measurements as determined at PI discretion
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Connecticut Mental Health Clinic
RECRUITINGNew Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States
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