# Step 5 · Sessions

This step sets the **daily listening plan** for each active and sham arm, how much
listening a participant does each day and the rules around it.

## What you set per arm

Sessions per day
: How many listening sessions a participant does each day.

Target minutes per day
: The daily listening goal, in minutes.

Minimum minutes per session
: How much recorded listening is required in a session before the participant can give
  their after-session ratings and finish it.

Headphones required
: Whether headphones are required for a valid session.

Allow listening beyond the target
: If off, the app stops a participant once they reach the daily target. If on, they may
  keep listening past it.

## How this reaches participants

The plan is sent to the app, which uses it to guide and gate each session: it tracks
recorded listening time, holds back the after-session questionnaire until the minimum is
met, and caps the day at the target unless you allow listening beyond it.

Every active and sham arm needs a session plan before the trial can launch.

Next: **{doc}`6-audio`**.