Music-Based Program for Emotion Regulation in Hong Kong: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Despite the prevalence of emotion regulation difficulties among young people, there are limited evidence-based brief programs that are effective and acceptable to this population in the community setting. This randomized controlled trial examined the effectiveness and acceptability of a music-based group program, Tuned In among youth in Hong Kong. People between 16–19 years and reporting general psychological distress were recruited from the community setting in 2023–2025. A total of 119 participants completed the study (age: M  = 18.24; SD  = 0.94). The program included psychoeducation, music activities, and group discussions. The experimental group showed improved emotion regulation ( P  ≤ .047), and lowered depression symptoms ( P  = .01), general stress ( P  = .04), and anhedonia ( P  = .02) from pre- to post-intervention, compared to the waitlist group. This pilot RCT supported the use of a brief music-listening group program for improving emotion regulation of youth.