Enhancing Health in Rural Populations: Music as Therapy

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a music-based intervention can improve mental and physical health and strengthen coping skills among adults living in residential care settings in northern Arizona. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does participation in the music-based intervention reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and pain?, and Does participation increase the use of music as a coping strategy and improve overall well-being?

Researchers will compare participants' pre-intervention and post-intervention responses to determine whether the music classes are associated with improvements in health and coping outcomes. Participants will: Attend a 6-week music class held once per week for one hour; participate in active music activities such as drumming and rhythm exercises; complete a brief survey before and after the intervention. Some participants are also invited to complete a short interview about their experiences.