Music as an Adjunctive Epilepsy Seizure TReatment Option
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Music as an Adjunctive Epilepsy Seizure TReatment Option (MAESTRO)
IRAS ID
308729
Contact name
Domenico Serino
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Grampian
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterised by disruption to normal electrical brain activity, which can severely affect a child’s cognitive functioning, learning and development. Mozart’s Sonata for two pianos in D major (K448) has been found to reduce electrical abnormalities in patients with epilepsy. This study will examine the long-term effects of listening to the K448 sonata on seizure frequency and cognitive functioning in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Patients’ parents will complete a seizure diary for the whole study period, during which antiepileptic drug therapy of the child will remain unchanged. Baseline diary of seizures and cognitive testing will be performed. Patients will be randomly allocated to treatment or control group and will receive a preloaded MP3 player. The treatment group will listen to K448 for 8 continuous minutes every day for 2 months, while those in the control group will listen to Mozart’s Fantasia for Piano in C Minor, for the same amount of time. Cognitive testing will be repeated at two months and change from baseline examined. Seizure frequency during periods of exposure to music will be compared to baseline in both groups. Feedback questionnaires and parent focus groups will be used to gather information around the practicalities of taking part in the study, including the information provided, the self-reporting process, the use of the equipment and applying the intervention to daily life. They will also be asked for suggestions on how future studies might be improved.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0090
Date of REC Opinion
5 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion