Music Therapy for Postoperative Pain

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: TriHealth Inc.

Must not be taking: Suboxone, Methadone

Disqualifiers: Non-English, Pregnant, Deaf, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether playing music before and/or during hernia repair surgery can reduce postoperative pain. Participants will listen to music before surgery, during surgery, both, or not at all. The goal is to determine if music can serve as a helpful distraction to ease postoperative pain. Individuals undergoing a single hernia repair at Bethesda Surgery Center who speak English are well-suited for this study. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance surgical recovery experiences.

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

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications, but it does exclude those on medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder.

What prior data suggests that music therapy is safe for postoperative pain management?

Research has shown that music therapy is safe and easy for patients to handle. Listening to music during surgery can aid in faster recovery and reduce pain. For instance, one study found that music significantly reduced pain levels and the need for pain medication after surgery. Another study supported these findings, showing that music can also lower anxiety and stabilize blood pressure and heart rate. Music therapy is a simple and non-invasive treatment, making it a safe choice for those considering its use during surgery. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about music therapy for postoperative pain because it offers a non-pharmacological approach to pain management, which can reduce the reliance on medications like opioids. Unlike standard treatments that often involve drugs with potential side effects, music therapy is non-invasive and harnesses the calming effects of music to potentially ease pain and anxiety. This trial explores different ways music can be used: listening before surgery, during surgery, or both, to see which timing might be most effective. By understanding how music therapy can impact pain perception, researchers hope to offer a safer, more holistic option for patients recovering from surgery.

What evidence suggests that music therapy is effective for reducing postoperative pain?

Studies have shown that music therapy can help reduce pain after surgery. For example, patients who listened to music experienced significantly less pain the day after their operations. Research also suggests that music therapy might reduce the need for pain medication during surgery. Other findings indicate that music can lessen pain after surgery and aid recovery. In this trial, participants will be assigned to different groups: some will listen to music before surgery, some during surgery, and some both before and during surgery. These results suggest that listening to music before or during surgery could make recovery more comfortable. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery and are interested in exploring non-pharmacological methods to manage postoperative pain. Specific eligibility details are not provided, but typically participants must meet certain health criteria.

Inclusion Criteria

I am scheduled for surgery at Bethesda Surgery Center.

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant

Wears hearing aids

Currently on medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder (ex: suboxone or methadone)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Pre-operative

Participants listen to music in the pre-operative area before surgery

Up to 1 hour

1 visit (in-person)

Intra-operative

Participants listen to music during their hernia repair surgery

During surgery

1 visit (in-person)

Post-operative Follow-up

Participants are monitored for pain and narcotic use in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

Up to 8 hours

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Music Therapy

Trial Overview The study is examining the effect of music as an audible distraction before and during hernia surgery on reducing post-operative pain, potentially decreasing the need for narcotics.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: PreOp and IntraOp Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patient will listen to music before and during their surgery

Group II: PreOp Only Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patient will listen to music before their surgery in pre-operative area only

Group III: IntraOp Only Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patient will listen to music during their surgery only

Group IV: No Music Active Control 1 Intervention

Patient will not listen to music during their visit

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

TriHealth Inc.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

103

Recruited

54,100+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 60 patients undergoing spinal surgery, those who listened to music experienced significantly lower levels of anxiety (VAS scores of 0.8-2.0) and pain (VAS scores of 1.7-3.0) compared to the control group, which reported higher scores for both anxiety (2.1-5.1) and pain (4.4-6.0).

Music therapy also resulted in lower blood pressure one hour after surgery in the study group compared to the control group, indicating a physiological benefit, although no significant differences were found in stress hormone levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy for patients receiving spine surgery. Lin, PC., Lin, ML., Huang, LC., et al.[2014]

A personalized music program implemented for older adults after elective surgeries showed positive outcomes, including improved mood, better pain control, and lower rates of delirium.

The program was integrated into an existing perioperative care framework and demonstrated that rapid cycle improvement can effectively monitor quality measures, making it a cost-effective and patient-centered intervention that can be replicated in various hospital settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bach to the Basics: Implementation and Impact of a Postoperative, Inpatient Personalized Music Program for Older Adults. Sharda, N., Mattoon, E., Matters, L., et al.[2020]

Perioperative music therapy significantly reduces postoperative pain and anxiety, with a large effect size observed in a meta-analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials involving 1803 patients.

The therapy also helps stabilize vital signs, leading to lower blood pressure and heart rate on the first postoperative day, although it does not improve hospital satisfaction or reduce nausea and vomiting.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Perioperative Music Therapy on Patients with Postoperative Pain and Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Li, G., Yu, L., Yang, Y., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9981401/

Effect on music therapy on quality of recovery and ... Intraoperative music intervention enhanced postoperative functional recovery and reduced postoperative pain in patients who underwent laparoscopic ...

2. facs.org facs.org/media-center/press-releases/2024/listening-to-music-may-speed-up-recovery-from-surgery/

Listening to Music May Speed Up Recovery from Surgery Lower pain levels: Patients who listened to music had a statistically significant reduction in pain the day after surgery. Pain was measured ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1524904225002358

Implementation of Music Intervention for Acute ... The result demonstrated that music is statistically and clinically significant in reducing the postoperative pain score and opioids administered ...

4. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2025/08220/the_effects_of_music_therapy_on_intraoperative_and.37.aspx

The effects of music therapy on intraoperative and... Our findings demonstrate statistically significant reductions in postoperative pain and a decreased need for intraoperative opioid and ...

5. ahajournals.org ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circ.150.suppl_1.4136561

Abstract 4136561: Music therapy for postprocedural pain in ... Conclusion: In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, music therapy reduced postoperative pain, anxiety, heart rate, and respiratory rate.

6. liebertpub.com liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/jicm.2022.0803?doi=10.1089/jicm.2022.0803

Effects of Perioperative Music Therapy on Patients with ... Conclusion: Perioperative music therapy can significantly reduce postoperative pain and anxiety and avoid fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate but does ...

7. thelancet.com thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)60169-6/abstract

Music as an aid for postoperative recovery in adults Music is a non-invasive, safe, and inexpensive intervention that can be delivered easily and successfully. We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to ...