Music for Opioid Use Disorder

Overseen By Scott G Weiner, MD, MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Brigham and Women's Hospital

Must be taking: Buprenorphine, Methadone

Must not be taking: Naltrexone, Opioid analgesics

Disqualifiers: Mental impairment, Hearing, Vision, Pregnancy, Chronic pain, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 1 day

28 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to explore how music might influence cravings and recovery for people with opioid use disorder. Participants will listen to music or silence and then evaluate their cravings for opioids after viewing images related to drug use. The goal is to determine if music can lessen cravings and aid in recovery. Individuals currently receiving stable treatment for opioid use disorder with buprenorphine or methadone might be a good fit.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance recovery strategies for opioid use disorder.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires participants to be on a stable dose of buprenorphine or methadone for at least 30 days, so you will not need to stop these medications. However, you cannot participate if you are currently prescribed naltrexone or require prescription opioid painkillers during the trial.

What prior data suggests that this music intervention is safe for individuals with opioid use disorder?

Research has shown that music is safe for people. In some studies, patients who listened to music felt better and experienced less stress. Evidence also suggests that music might help reduce the use of drugs, including opioids. Other research has demonstrated that music can lower pain and the need for pain medication after surgery. Overall, listening to music appears well-tolerated, with no major side effects reported. This suggests it could be a safe option for those seeking help with opioid cravings. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using music as a treatment for opioid use disorder because it offers a non-pharmacological approach that could complement existing therapies like medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and behavioral therapy. Unlike traditional medications that target the brain's chemistry, music intervention may help manage cravings through emotional and psychological engagement, providing a soothing, personalized experience. This method could be particularly appealing as it avoids the side effects associated with drugs and could be easily integrated into various treatment settings, offering a holistic approach to recovery.

What evidence suggests that this music intervention might be an effective treatment for opioid use disorder?

Research has shown that music therapy can help reduce cravings for drugs, including opioids. In this trial, one group of participants will receive a music intervention, listening to songs of their choice to assess its impact on opioid cravings. Studies have found that combining music with regular treatment often reduces the desire to use drugs. Music therapy appears to help by affecting brain processes related to cravings. Listening to music might also boost mood and serve as a positive distraction from addiction triggers. This suggests that music could be useful in managing opioid use disorder. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Scott G Weiner, MD, MPH

Principal Investigator

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals who are dealing with opioid addiction or dependence. The study aims to understand if music can influence their cravings and recovery process.

Inclusion Criteria

Current diagnosis of opioid use disorder

I have been on a stable dose of buprenorphine or methadone for at least 30 days.

Exclusion Criteria

Patient reports that they are pregnant

Any significant impairment in mental status that would interfere with the ability to provide informed consent including suicidality, homicidality, or psychosis

I have had daily pain rated above 3 for more than 3 months.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo a single session at the Center for Clinical Investigation, where they complete questionnaires, listen to music or silence, and are exposed to drug-related and neutral cues.

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Qualitative Interview

Participants engage in a qualitative interview discussing their relationship with music and its impact on their opioid use and recovery.

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any feedback on the trial and potential strategies for music use in clinical settings.

2-4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Music Intervention

Trial Overview The trial is exploring the effect of music on opioid cravings by comparing reactions to silence versus a music intervention in participants with opioid use disorder.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: music Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

In this arm, subjects will rate their cravings for opioids on a 0-100 point visual analog scale. They will then listen to 2 songs of their choosing. They will then be shown a series of images "cues" related to drug use, and will again be asked their cravings for opioids.

Group II: silence Placebo Group 1 Intervention

In this arm, subjects will rate their cravings for opioids on a 0-100 point visual analog scale. They will then listen to 10 minutes of silence. They will then be shown a series of images "cues" related to drug use, and will again be asked their cravings for opioids.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,694

Recruited

14,790,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Long-term opioid agonist therapy with methadone and buprenorphine has been shown to be highly effective in treating opioid use disorder (OUD), significantly reducing the risk of relapse and saving lives.

Despite the effectiveness of these treatments, the delivery of prevention and treatment for OUD is often hindered by coexisting health issues, lack of support, and varying public opinions, highlighting the need for better scientific communication and evidence-based strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Opioid use disorder. Strang, J., Volkow, ND., Degenhardt, L., et al.[2021]

The HOPE mobile app was developed based on feedback from 16 interviews with patients and providers, incorporating features for mood tracking, treatment adherence, and community support, which were well-received by users.

In a 6-month pilot study with 25 patients, the app demonstrated high usability scores (mean 86.9 for patients and 83.3 for providers), indicating that it effectively supports individuals undergoing medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Mobile Health App to Support Patients Receiving Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: Development and Feasibility Study. Waselewski, ME., Flickinger, TE., Canan, C., et al.[2021]

A significant increase in Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) diagnoses during pregnancy highlights the need for effective treatment solutions, which this study addresses through feedback from 18 peripartum individuals and 19 obstetric providers.

The development of the Listening to Women and Pregnant and Postpartum People (LTWP) program, informed by qualitative interviews, aims to enhance the implementation of evidence-based Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) in prenatal care, although initial feedback indicated a lack of enthusiasm for the web-based intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Listening to women and pregnant and postpartum people: Qualitative research to inform opioid use disorder treatment for pregnant and postpartum people. Guille, C., Hall, C., King, C., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9082681/

Music therapy for people with substance use disorders - PMC Results from this review suggest that MT as 'add on' treatment to standard care can lead to moderate reductions in substance craving and can increase ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949875925000207

A qualitative inquiry into music consumption at drug ... This qualitative study offers a retrospective perspective on clients with SUD at treatment centers, exploring the impact of music consumption and music therapy ...

3. cochranelibrary.com cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD012576.pub3/full

Music therapy for people with substance use disorders Our findings suggest that music therapy added to standard care likely reduces substance craving when compared to standard care alone for people ...

4. ascpjournal.biomedcentral.com ascpjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13722-023-00385-y

Music therapy, neural processing, and craving reduction Music therapy has been shown to be effective for multiple clinical endpoints associated with substance use disorder such as craving reduction, ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5570730/

Music as an Adjunct to Opioid-Based Analgesia - PMC These concepts may alter the efficacy of music in substance abuse treatment if deployed as a part of group therapy in comparison to individual therapy sessions.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10496714/

Effect and safety of listening to music or audiobooks as a ... This study's primary objective is to provide the first evidence on the distinct (separate) effects of music listening as a coadjuvant ...

7. hsrd.research.va.gov hsrd.research.va.gov/research/citations/pubbriefs/articles.cfm?RecordID=35

Is Music Therapy Efficacious in Treating Patients with ... Findings show that few descriptions of music therapies, and even fewer studies reporting outcomes of music therapies exist for the treatment of patients with ...

8. jabfm.org jabfm.org/content/jabfp/early/2023/12/13/jabfm.2022.220316R3.full.pdf

Virtual Music Therapy for Substance Use Disorders in a ... Patients reported an improvement in mood and their ability to manage stress, and a decrease in substance use. Conclusion: We wish to build on ...

9. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1361857/full

The psychophysiology of music-based interventions and ... Some trials report decreased opioid use after music-based therapy ... Endogenous opioid systems alterations in pain and opioid use disorder. Front ...

10. 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 ...