New clinical trial by TMU and LUCID find new method to significantly reduce anxiety
Toronto, ON—A new randomized clinical trial has revealed that just 24 minutes of listening to specially designed music paired with auditory beat stimulation (ABS) can significantly reduce anxiety. The research offers a promising complementary approach for people seeking accessible, non-drug-based support for emotional regulation.
Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) psychology researchers Danielle K. Mullen and Frank A. Russo conducted the clinical trial with LUCID, a digital therapeutics company born out of TMU’s Zone Learning ecosystem.
Anxiety affects millions of people globally, and while medications and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) are common treatments, they can come with barriers such as side effects, waitlists, cost and time commitment. Music-based digital therapeutics are emerging as a low-cost, highly accessible tool that can provide immediate relief from anxiety symptoms.
In this study, 144 adults with moderate trait anxiety who were already taking anxiety-reducing medication were randomly assigned to one of four listening conditions:
- Pink noise (24 minutes; control)
- Music with ABS (12 minutes)
- Music with ABS (24 minutes)
- Music with ABS (36 minutes)
Participants completed standardized measures of anxiety and mood before and after the intervention.
24 minutes emerges as the optimal “dose”
Results showed that music with ABS reliably reduced both cognitive and somatic symptoms of anxiety, as well as negative mood, compared to the pink noise control.
Importantly, the 24-minute listening session produced the strongest overall reduction in anxiety, performing on par with the 36-minute session and clearly outperforming the 12-minute version.
“What we’re seeing is a dose–response pattern where about 24 minutes of music with ABS seems to be the sweet spot,” said Russo, Professor of Psychology at TMU and Chief Science Officer, LUCID. “It’s long enough to meaningfully shift anxiety levels, but not so long that listeners need to carve out a large block of time.”
Investigating the dose-response relationship between music and anxiety reduction: A randomized clinical trial (external link) was published in PLOS Mental Health on January 21, 2026.
Media Contact
Michelle LePage
PR & Communications Specialist
Toronto Metropolitan University
michelle.lepage@torontomu.ca
About Toronto Metropolitan University
A world-class research institution and Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education, TMU offers more than 60 undergraduate programs, over 65 graduate programs, and 80 continuing education certificate programs. The university boasts ten faculties, including the Lincoln Alexander School of Law and the new TMU School of Medicine, which is launching in September 2025. Established in 1948, TMU is home to nearly 48,000 students, including 2,900 Master’s and PhD students, 4,000 faculty and staff, and over 245,000 alumni worldwide.
For more information, visit torontomu.ca.
About LUCID
At LUCID, we develop evidence-based digital solutions at the intersection of music, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence. Leveraging proprietary AI and advanced sound design, the company creates personalized, adaptive music experiences intended to deliver measurable cognitive and emotional outcomes.
LUCID was founded on the first-hand understanding that too many people and their healthcare providers lack access to safe, effective, and engaging options to support their mental and emotional well-being. We exist to help change that. LUCID’s mission is to unlock the full potential of sound by positioning music as a scalable, scientifically validated modality for wellness and human performance. Through intelligent discovery, personalization, and real-time adaptation, LUCID aims to enhance the human condition by harnessing the scientifically validated capacity of music.
Visit https://www.lucidtherapeutics.com/ (external link) to learn more.