Songwriting intervention for cognitively-impaired children with life-limiting conditions: Study protocol

Area of Science:

• Child Health
• Palliative Care
• Music Therapy

Background:

• Cognitively-impaired children with life-limiting conditions and their families face significant physical and psychological burdens.
• Music-based interventions offer a complementary approach for symptom management and health promotion.
• Songwriting is a potential family-centered strategy for remote delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the feasibility of a songwriting intervention for children (ages 5-17) with cognitive impairments receiving palliative or complex care.
• To examine the preliminary efficacy of songwriting on child psychological distress and physical symptoms.
• To assess the intervention's impact on parent psychological distress and the family environment.

Main Methods:

• A 1-group pre-and post-intervention clinical trial design was employed.
• The study involved 25 children with cognitive impairments and their parents.
• The protocol for the songwriting intervention is described.

Main Results:

• Feasibility of the songwriting intervention for this population needs to be determined.
• Preliminary efficacy on child and parent psychological distress requires examination.
• Impact on physical symptoms and family environment will be assessed.

Conclusions:

• Further research is needed to establish the effectiveness of songwriting interventions.
• Music-based approaches like songwriting may offer valuable support for families facing life-limiting conditions.
• This study protocol lays the groundwork for future investigations into music therapy's role in pediatric palliative care.