Music Intervention for Chronic Pain

Not currently recruiting at 1 trial location

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Disqualifiers: Hearing impairment, Sensitivity to music

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 1 day

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether listening to music can reduce anxiety and pain during procedures at a pain management clinic. Participants will either listen to music of their choice during the procedure or have no music at all. The goal is to determine if music makes the experience less stressful and painful compared to the usual treatment. Those scheduled for a procedure like a nerve block and comfortable with music might be a good fit for this study. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative ways to enhance patient comfort and well-being during medical procedures.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this musical intervention is safe for reducing anxiety and pain during procedures?

Research has shown that music activities, such as music therapy and group singing, are generally safe. These activities are non-invasive, meaning they don't involve entering the body or breaking the skin, and they carry a low risk. Studies have found that music activities can help reduce pain and improve well-being in people with long-term pain. Although specific safety data for music activities in chronic pain is limited, their non-invasive nature suggests they are well-tolerated. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using music as a treatment for chronic pain because it offers a non-invasive and drug-free approach to managing pain and anxiety. Unlike traditional pain management methods, which often rely on medications like lidocaine or opioids, music intervention uses the power of sound to help patients relax and potentially reduce their perception of pain. This method is particularly appealing as it minimizes the risk of side effects associated with pharmaceutical treatments. By providing music of the patient's choice during procedures, this approach could enhance overall patient experience and comfort during treatment.

What evidence suggests that this musical intervention is effective for reducing anxiety and pain during procedures?

Research has shown that music therapy can greatly reduce chronic pain. In this trial, participants in the Music Intervention arm will listen to music of their choice during office-based procedures, such as nerve blocks or epidural steroid injections. One study found that patients felt less pain after music therapy compared to those who did not receive it. Another review found that music can lower pain levels, especially when using specific pain measurement tools. Singing and other musical activities have eased pain and reduced stress in people with long-term illnesses. Overall, music therapy appears promising in making painful experiences more manageable. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kamal Patel, MD

Principal Investigator

NeuSpine Institute, Florida

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with chronic pain who are scheduled for an office-based procedure and have signed informed consent. It's not suitable for those with major hearing impairments or sensitivity to music.

Inclusion Criteria

Informed consent is signed by a subject

I have a procedure planned at the doctor's office.

Exclusion Criteria

Major hearing impairment

Sensitivity to music

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo office-based procedures with or without musical intervention to assess pain and anxiety levels

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for immediate effects on pain and anxiety levels after the procedure

Immediately after procedure

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Musical Intervention

Trial Overview

The study aims to see if playing music during a procedure can help reduce anxiety and pain compared to having the same procedure without music in a clinic that manages chronic pain.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Music Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A patient is scheduled for an office-based procedure such as a nerve block, epidural steroid injection, etc. Music-of-choice during the office-based procedure intervention is assigned to this group. Music via external speakers played in the procedure room. To ensure acute pain and anxiety control, participants will receive standard analgesic treatment in the beginning of their scheduled interventional procedure. Such treatment includes injection and topical application of lidocaine to induce local anesthesia. Standard of care is applied.

Group II: Control Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A patient is scheduled for an office-based procedure such as a nerve block, epidural steroid injection, etc. No music intervention is assigned to this group. No music at any time during the procedure. To ensure acute pain and anxiety control, participants will receive standard analgesic treatment in the beginning of their scheduled interventional procedure. Such treatment includes injection and topical application of lidocaine to induce local anesthesia. Standard of care is applied.

Musical Intervention is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Musical Intervention for:

• Psychotic illnesses
• Conditioned Hallucinations
• Social Reinforcement Learning
• Language Use

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

9

Recruited

570+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Music therapy is an effective non-drug approach for managing pain and symptoms in patients with long-term and life-threatening illnesses, helping to reduce pain perception through distraction and mood enhancement.

The article reviews various methods and techniques of music therapy, supported by case studies that illustrate its practical application in pain management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy in pain and symptom management. Magill-Levreault, L.[2022]

A pilot study involving 4 outpatients with chronic pain showed that participating in 10 weekly group singing sessions provided multiple benefits, including physical, psychological, and social improvements.

The findings suggest that group singing can effectively complement traditional pain management strategies, potentially enhancing overall clinical outcomes for individuals living with chronic pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Group Singing Has Multiple Benefits in the Context of Chronic Pain: An Exploratory Pilot Study. Irons, JY., Kuipers, P., Wan, A., et al.[2021]

In a study involving 12 patients with fibromyalgia and other pain syndromes, active music therapy significantly reduced pain intensity and pain-related disability compared to a control group.

The study suggests that music therapy particularly enhances the emotional and communicative aspects of managing chronic pain, although it did not show changes in depression and anxiety scores.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Active music therapy for chronic pain: a prospective study]. Müller-Busch, HC., Hoffmann, P.[2006]

Music-imaginative Pain Treatment (MIPT) encourages patients to express their pain through music, promoting self-reflection and active engagement, which can be beneficial in managing chronic pain disorders.

In this case study of a 46-year-old woman, early childhood stress was identified as a significant factor influencing her chronic pain, highlighting the importance of addressing psychological and social trauma in pain management therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of music-imaginative pain treatment (MIPT) on psychophysical affect regulation - A single case study. Glomb, S., Böckelmann, I., Frommer, J., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 87 patients with chronic pain conditions, a music intervention significantly reduced pain levels after 60 days compared to standard treatment alone, demonstrating its efficacy in pain management.

The music intervention also led to a notable decrease in anxiety and depression, as well as reduced use of anxiolytic medications, highlighting its potential as a complementary therapy for chronic pain patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of music intervention in the management of chronic pain: a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Guétin, S., Giniès, P., Siou, DK., et al.[2012]

A 12-week vocal music therapy (VMT) program showed significant benefits in managing chronic pain, with large treatment effects observed in self-efficacy, depression, and social activity participation among 43 predominantly Black female participants.

Qualitative feedback indicated that VMT improved participants' self-management of pain and enhanced their psychological well-being and social connections, despite challenges in recruitment and a 23% attrition rate.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Vocal Music Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study. Low, MY., Lacson, C., Zhang, F., et al.[2020]

Citations

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

The effect of music therapy for patients with chronic pain

Music therapy significantly reduced CP in the test group compared with that in the control group post-intervention and depression, no evidence ...

2.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6972717/

A systematic review on the effects of group singing on ...

Singing interventions were found to reduce pain intensity in most studies, but there was more equivocal support for reducing pain interference and ...

3.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-chronic-pain-2023-95d31

Music Intervention for Chronic Pain · Info for Participants

The purpose of this study is to determine if the use of musical intervention reduces patient anxiety and provides a less painful experience during office-based ...

4.

fortunejournals.com

fortunejournals.com/articles/effectiveness-of-music-interventions-on-chronic-pain-a-systematic-review.html

Effectiveness of Music Interventions on Chronic Pain

This review of 14 studies found that music interventions can significantly reduce chronic pain, particularly using VAS and MPQ tools.

5.

kb.gcsu.edu

kb.gcsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1069&context=dnp

Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led Songwriting Intervention on ...

Active and passive music interventions (MI) are effective in reducing stress and pain of chronic illness. Specifically, decreases in heart ...

6.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/music-intervention-for-chronic-pain-499f8

Music Intervention for Chronic Pain (MusicCPP Trial)

However, music interventions are generally considered non-invasive and low-risk, though specific safety data for music interventions in chronic pain is not well ...

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researchgate.net

researchgate.net/publication/391319218_The_effect_of_music_therapy_for_patients_with_chronic_pain_systematic_review_and_meta-analysis

(PDF) The effect of music therapy for patients with chronic ...

Music therapy significantly reduced CP in the test group compared with that in the control group post-intervention and depression, no evidence ...