Music for Chronic Pain

(MusKiP Trial)

Overseen By Carlos Gevers-Montoro, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: McGill University

Must be taking: Ketamine

Disqualifiers: Cancer, Hearing impairment, Intellectual disability, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 5 weeks

25 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether listening to music can enhance the pain-relieving effects of IV ketamine in individuals with chronic pain. Ketamine, often used for difficult-to-treat pain, might be more effective when combined with music, particularly self-selected tunes. Participants will experience different music scenarios during ketamine sessions, such as their favorite songs, music chosen by a therapist, or no music, to determine which provides the best relief. This trial suits those with chronic non-cancer-related pain who already receive ketamine infusions at the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative pain management strategies.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you must avoid grapefruit juice on the day of the ketamine infusions, as it can affect how the drug works.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that music therapy can help reduce pain in individuals with chronic pain. For instance, one study found that music therapy lowered pain levels from 4.9 to 3.5 on a pain scale, even when participants were taking other pain medications. Another large study found that music therapy sessions focused on pain management could reduce pain by two or more points.

Researchers are studying the safety and effectiveness of listening to music during ketamine infusions. The music itself is generally safe and easy to manage. Ketamine, the main treatment, is already used in some medical settings, indicating its relative safety. However, ketamine can cause side effects like feeling disconnected from reality, so awareness of this is important.

Overall, previous studies have shown that music can aid in pain relief, and ketamine is a recognized treatment option. While music therapy is safe, monitoring the effects of ketamine during treatment is essential. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about exploring music as a treatment for chronic pain because it offers a non-invasive and drug-free alternative to standard pain management options like opioids, NSAIDs, and physical therapy. Unlike traditional medications that often carry risks of side effects and dependency, music therapy leverages the brain's natural response to sound to potentially reduce pain perception and improve mood. This trial aims to understand the specific impacts of preferred music, therapist-selected music, and silence on chronic pain, which could lead to personalized and accessible pain management strategies that enhance overall well-being without the downsides of medication.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for chronic pain?

Research has shown that music therapy can help reduce long-term pain. A large study found that music therapy sessions focused on managing pain could lower pain levels by more than 2 points. Additionally, music therapy has reduced pain and anxiety when combined with regular painkillers. Another study found that live music therapy significantly lowered pain scores from 4.9 to 3.5. In this trial, participants will experience different sequences of music and silence, including preferred music, therapist-selected music, and silence. These findings suggest that music, especially when tailored to the individual, might enhance the pain-relieving effects of treatments like IV ketamine. ^{2 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Mark A Ware, MD

Principal Investigator

McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

Mathieu Roy, PhD

Principal Investigator

McGill University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for chronic pain patients who are already receiving IV ketamine treatments at the Montreal General Hospital's pain clinic. Participants should be open to listening to music or silence during their infusions and willing to track their pain levels.

Inclusion Criteria

I can safely receive ketamine injections.

Be able to use an electronic device to complete questionnaires and diaries

Abstention from consuming grapefruit juice on the day of the ketamine infusions

Exclusion Criteria

My condition shows significant symptoms or effects.

Significant hearing impairment not improved with hearing aids and/or sound amplification or unwillingness to listen to music during treatment

Known intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Infusion

Participants receive a baseline ketamine infusion under usual conditions to establish a baseline

1 hour

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants undergo three ketamine infusion sessions with different music conditions: self-selected music, therapist-selected music, and silence

5 weeks

4 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with pain intensity ratings collected over a 5-week period

5 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Music

Trial Overview The study tests if different types of music (patient-preferred, therapist-selected, or no music) affect the effectiveness of IV ketamine in managing chronic pain. Patients' experiences with these conditions will be compared using standardized tools and interviews.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Therapist-Silence-Preferred Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Participants in this arm will be exposed to 1) Therapist-selected music, 2) Silence, and 3) Preferred music, in this order

Group II: Therapist-Preferred-Silence Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Participants in this arm will be exposed to 1) Therapist-selected music, 2) Preferred music, 3) Silence, in this order

Group III: Silence-Therapist-Preferred Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Participants in this arm will be exposed to 1) Silence, 2) Therapist-selected music, and 3) Preferred music, in this order

Group IV: Silence-Preferred-Therapist Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Participants in this arm will be exposed to 1) Silence, 2) Preferred music, and 3) Therapist-selected music, in this order

Group V: Preferred-Therapist-Silence Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Participants in this arm will be exposed to 1) Preferred music, 2) Therapist-selected music and 3) Silence in this order

Group VI: Preferred-Silence-Therapist Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Participants in this arm will be exposed to 1) Preferred music, 2) Silence, and 3) Therapist-selected music, in this order

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

McGill University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

421

Recruited

1,017,000+

McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

Collaborator

Trials

476

Recruited

170,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12042639/

The effect of music therapy for patients with chronic pain Music therapy effectively reduces CP and depression, but has limited effects on anxiety and quality of life.

2. news.uhhospitals.org news.uhhospitals.org/news-releases/articles/2025/09/large-study-finds-certain-music-therapy-interventions-may-be-more-beneficial-for-pain

Large Study Finds Certain Music Therapy Interventions May ... Additionally longer music therapy sessions and those documented with an explicit goal of managing pain were more likely to reduce pain ≥2 units.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S3050613124000093

Effects of music therapy on the pressure pain threshold ... This study shows that music therapy helps regulate pain sensitivity. It also improves participants' memory, executive function, and pleasurable and arousal ...

4. intjem.biomedcentral.com intjem.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12245-025-00878-4

The effect of music therapy on treating patients pain and ... In this study, we found that music therapy, when combined with standard analgesia, effectively reduced pain and anxiety in patients presenting to the ED.

5. jpsmjournal.com jpsmjournal.com/article/S0885-3924(25)00660-8/fulltext

A Live-Music Therapy Protocol for Pain Management in ... Pain significantly decreased from 4.9 (95% CI: 4.3–5.4) to 3.5 (95% CI: 2.9–4.2) (P < 0.0001) following music intervention, regardless of ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0885392425006608

A Live-Music Therapy Protocol for Pain Management in ... Pain significantly decreased from 4.9 (95% CI: 4.3–5.4) to 3.5 (95% CI: 2.9–4.2) (P < 0.0001) following music intervention, regardless of analgesic intake. We ...

7. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.714209/full

The Effect of Music Therapy on Perceived Pain, Mental ... Music interventions inclusive of music therapy (MT) have been shown to improve such symptoms, but rigorous clinical trials investigating specific music therapy ...