Music Therapy for Chronic Pain

Overseen By Bunty Shah, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Must not be taking: Beta blockers

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment, Non-English, Hearing problems, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 1 day

30 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial excludes patients taking beta blocker medication, so if you are on beta blockers, you would need to stop taking them to participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Music Therapy for Chronic Pain?

Research shows that music therapy can effectively reduce pain and anxiety in patients with serious illnesses and chronic conditions. It works by altering mood, providing distraction, and promoting relaxation, which can help decrease the perception of pain. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is music therapy safe for humans?

Music therapy is generally considered safe for humans and has been used in various clinical settings to help manage stress, anxiety, and pain without significant safety concerns. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

How is music therapy different from other treatments for chronic pain?

Music therapy is unique because it uses music and musical activities to help manage pain without medication. It works by distracting the mind, changing mood, and promoting relaxation, which can reduce the perception of pain. ^{1 2 5 7 10}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing if listening to music during treatment can help people with chronic lower back pain feel less anxious and in less pain. The study focuses on these patients because they often have high levels of anxiety and pain during treatments. The idea is that music can make them feel more relaxed and distracted from their pain.

Research Team

Bunty Shah

Principal Investigator

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 with chronic lower back pain who are undergoing standard lumbar procedures. It's not for those who can't consent, don't speak English, take beta blockers, have a pacemaker set at a fixed rate, or have hearing issues.

Inclusion Criteria

I am receiving standard spinal procedures like epidural or facet injections.

I am either female or male.

Exclusion Criteria

I have hearing problems or use hearing aids.

I am unable to give consent for myself due to cognitive impairment.

I am currently taking beta blocker medication.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo lumbar spinal interventional procedures with or without music therapy

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for anxiety and pain levels immediately after the procedure

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Music Therapy
• No Music

Trial Overview The study tests if listening to music during lumbar procedures can reduce anxiety and pain. Patients will either receive music therapy or no music to see how it affects their reported feelings of anxiety and pain as well as changes in vital signs.

Participant Groups

Group I: Music Therapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Music of the subject's preferred genre will be played during the subject's standard of care lumbar spinal interventional procedure (including: epidural steroid injections, facet injections, medial branch blocks).

Group II: No Music Active Control 1 Intervention

No music will be played during the subject's standard of care lumbar spinal interventional procedure (including: epidural steroid injections, facet injections, medial branch blocks).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

515

Recruited

2,873,000+

Findings from Research

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]

Music therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for various conditions, including chronic pain, migraines in children, and chronic tinnitus, supported by moderate to large effect sizes in multiple meta-analyses.

The growing body of evidence suggests that music therapy should be considered as a viable intervention in clinical settings, with future research needed to compare its effectiveness against standard treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Outcome research in music therapy: a step on the long road to an evidence-based treatment. Nickel, AK., Hillecke, T., Argstatter, H., et al.[2011]

A study involving 150 seriously ill patients across various inpatient units demonstrated that music therapy significantly reduced anxiety levels after a single bedside session.

The intervention was found to be feasible and well-received, with patients showing high interest and satisfaction, indicating that music therapy can be effectively integrated into general inpatient care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Soothing the heart with music: A feasibility study of a bedside music therapy intervention for critically ill patients in an urban hospital setting. Fallek, R., Corey, K., Qamar, A., et al.[2020]

Music therapy is an effective complementary treatment for cancer patients, helping to improve mood, reduce stress, pain, and anxiety, and enhance relaxation during their treatment process.

Integrating music therapy into supportive cancer care can significantly promote overall wellness and improve both physical and emotional well-being, contributing to a better quality of life for patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy in supportive cancer care. Stanczyk, MM.[2022]

Music therapy significantly contributed to the rehabilitation of a severely injured service member by improving various functional areas such as range of motion, strength, articulation, and social integration, as reported through clinical notes and patient feedback.

The integration of music therapy with traditional rehabilitation methods was highly valued by the patient and treatment team, enhancing motivation and participation, and helping to prevent social isolation by promoting community engagement through music.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy applied to complex blast injury in interdisciplinary care: a case report. Vaudreuil, R., Avila, L., Bradt, J., et al.[2020]

A meta-analysis of 183 studies across 11 medical specialties found that music therapy interventions have significantly greater positive effects on outcomes like pain, well-being, mood, and nausea/vomiting compared to music medicine interventions.

The analysis particularly highlighted benefits for patients with cancer, those who are terminally ill, and patients with HIV, indicating that music therapy can be an effective complementary treatment in these populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of music and music therapy on medical patients: a meta-analysis of the research and implications for the future. Dileo, C.[2022]

A review of 12 clinical studies involving 922 cancer patients indicates that music therapy can lead to short-term improvements in mood, relaxation, and reductions in anxiety and pain, particularly in pediatric oncology settings.

Case vignettes illustrate that music therapy can help patients express emotions and shift focus from their illness to a healthier mindset, suggesting its potential as a supportive treatment in cancer care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Use of Music Therapy During the Treatment of Cancer Patients: A Collection of Evidence. Boyde, C., Linden, U., Boehm, K., et al.[2020]

Music therapy serves as a complementary treatment for critically ill patients in intensive care, enhancing the effects of conventional medical treatments.

The intervention has both physiological and psychological benefits, suggesting it can improve overall patient well-being during critical illness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy in ICU. Coughlan, A.[2015]

In a study involving 126 mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units, preferred music playlists were analyzed to understand their impact on managing anxiety through patient-directed music listening interventions.

The findings highlight the importance of music selection in therapeutic interventions, suggesting that involving a board-certified music therapist can enhance the effectiveness of music listening protocols in clinical settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysis of Preferred Music of Mechanically Ventilated Intensive Care Unit Patients Enrolled in a Randomized Controlled Trial. Heiderscheit, A., Johnson, K., Chlan, LL.[2023]

A study involving 55 inner-city adults with chronic pain showed that an 8-week vocal music therapy program significantly improved self-efficacy and pain interference, indicating its potential as an effective intervention for chronic pain management.

Qualitative feedback from participants highlighted benefits such as enhanced self-management, motivation, and social engagement, suggesting that vocal music therapy not only addresses pain but also improves overall emotional well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Vocal Music Therapy for Chronic Pain Management in Inner-City African Americans: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study. Bradt, J., Norris, M., Shim, M., et al.[2022]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy in pain and symptom management. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Outcome research in music therapy: a step on the long road to an evidence-based treatment. [2011]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Soothing the heart with music: A feasibility study of a bedside music therapy intervention for critically ill patients in an urban hospital setting. [2020]

4. Poland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy in supportive cancer care. [2022]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy applied to complex blast injury in interdisciplinary care: a case report. [2020]

6. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of music and music therapy on medical patients: a meta-analysis of the research and implications for the future. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Use of Music Therapy During the Treatment of Cancer Patients: A Collection of Evidence. [2020]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy in ICU. [2015]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysis of Preferred Music of Mechanically Ventilated Intensive Care Unit Patients Enrolled in a Randomized Controlled Trial. [2023]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Vocal Music Therapy for Chronic Pain Management in Inner-City African Americans: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study. [2022]