NCT02369315

Randomized Trial of the Effects of Musical Training on Child Development in the Venezuela Orchestra Program (El Sistema)

Design of a Multi-site Cluster Randomized Trial to Study the Effects of Musical Training on Child Development in the National System of Child and Youth Orchestras in Venezuela (El Sistema)

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 2,914 (actual)
• Sponsor: Inter-American Development Bank · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 6 Years – 14 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study evaluates Venezuela's National System of Child and Youth Orchestras, better known as "El Sistema".

Detailed description

The randomized control trial was conducted in 16 music centers in Venezuela between May 2012 and November 2013, with a population of 6-14 year olds seeking entry to the program. During an application period (May-July 2012), 2,603 guardians (the experimental cluster) applied on behalf of 2,999 6-14 year olds. Approximately half of the guardians were randomly offered early admission in September 2012, with the rest offered admission in September 2013. Baseline and follow-up data were collected on outcomes which will be explored for full-group and specific sub-groups (children with less educated mothers, and boys or girls exposed to violence).

Conditions

• Child Development

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Treatment (Invited entry 2012)	Entry to music program offered in September 2012
BEHAVIORAL	Control (Invited entry 2013)	Entry to music program offered in September 2013

Timeline

• Start date: 2012-02-01
• Primary completion: 2016-12-01
• Completion: 2016-12-01
• First posted: 2015-02-23
• Last updated: 2016-12-08