Music Intervention for Chronic Pain

(MusicCPP Trial)

Overseen By Anne Marie Pinard, Md, MA

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Laval University

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 4 weeks

36 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems likely that you can continue them, but it's best to confirm with the trial organizers.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Music Intervention for chronic pain?

Research shows that music interventions can help manage chronic pain by improving self-efficacy (confidence in managing pain), reducing depression, and enhancing social participation. Additionally, music-based treatments are considered safe and effective for both acute and chronic pain, offering a low-cost, non-drug option for pain relief. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is music intervention for chronic pain safe for humans?

The available research on chronic pain treatments, including psychological and physical therapies, often lacks detailed reporting on adverse events, making it difficult to fully assess safety. However, music interventions are generally considered non-invasive and low-risk, though specific safety data for music interventions in chronic pain is not well-documented in the provided studies. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does music intervention differ from other treatments for chronic pain?

Music intervention for chronic pain is unique because it uses active participation in music, such as singing or playing instruments, to help manage pain. Unlike traditional treatments that may rely on medication, this approach focuses on altering emotional and cognitive processes to reduce pain perception and improve well-being. ^{1 2 11 12 13}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the efficacy of a personalized music intervention program to improve the condition of individuals suffering from chronic pain. The main objective is to evaluate if the intervention program will significantly reduce participants composite score of pain, anxiety, and well-being (reversed) as evaluated by the Edmonton symptom assessment scale (ESAS-r) immediately after the intervention, and whether this improvement will be significantly greater than that of control sessions.

Research Team

Anne Marie Pinard, Md, MA

Principal Investigator

CIRRIS

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 who suffer from chronic pain, are currently being treated at the CHU de Québec-Université Laval's pain clinic, can use email and online questionnaires, have good or corrected hearing, understand French, and can travel to Université Laval.

Inclusion Criteria

I can travel to Université Laval for the trial.

I am receiving treatment for chronic pain at the CHU de Québec-Université Laval.

I can use email and respond to online questionnaires.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a personalized music intervention program for 4 weeks, with in-person sessions for the first 2 weeks and online sessions for the following 2 weeks

4 weeks

2 visits (in-person), 2 sessions (online)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in pain, anxiety, and well-being after the intervention

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Music Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests a personalized music intervention program on individuals with chronic pain. It aims to see if this program reduces their composite score of pain and anxiety while improving well-being more than control sessions do.

Participant Groups

Group I: Musical intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This arm will receive a personalized music intervention.

Group II: No musical intervention Active Control 1 Intervention

This arm will carry out its daily activities and will be assessed using the same measures at the beginning of each session and after a delay comparable to the duration of the intervention administered in the experimental group.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Laval University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

439

Recruited

178,000+

Université de Montréal

Collaborator

Trials

223

Recruited

104,000+

Findings from Research

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]

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]

Music-based interventions have been identified as effective and safe complementary treatments for managing chronic pain, addressing not only pain relief but also associated issues like depression and insomnia.

The analgesic effects of music are thought to work through modulation of nociception and the mesolimbic dopaminergic system, suggesting a neurobiological basis for its efficacy in pain management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Isn't There Room for Music in Chronic Pain Management? Sihvonen, AJ., Pitkäniemi, A., Särkämö, T., 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 systematic review and meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials involving 593 participants found that music intervention has a moderate positive effect on managing cancer-related pain.

The studies reported no adverse events associated with music intervention, suggesting it is a safe complementary approach for pain management in cancer patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of music intervention on patients with cancer-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Yangöz, ŞT., Özer, Z.[2020]

A systematic review of 34 pharmacological trials (4091 participants), 25 physical therapy trials (1470 participants), and 63 psychological trials (5025 participants) found that while all treatment types showed some benefit in reducing pain, only physical and psychological therapies significantly improved physical functioning.

The evidence suggests that psychological therapies are the most effective for managing chronic pain in children, but the overall certainty of the findings is low, indicating a need for further research to confirm these results.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and safety of pharmacological, physical, and psychological interventions for the management of chronic pain in children: a WHO systematic review and meta-analysis. Fisher, E., Villanueva, G., Henschke, N., et al.[2023]

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was found to reduce pain intensity in 43% of the 35 studies reviewed, indicating its potential effectiveness for individuals with chronic pain.

Both online and in-person delivery methods of CBT showed comparable efficacy, suggesting flexibility in how therapy can be administered to patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Chronic Pain and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: An Integrative Review. Knoerl, R., Lavoie Smith, EM., Weisberg, J.[2022]

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective first-line treatment for chronic pain, supported by numerous randomized controlled trials showing improvements in pain and related issues across various chronic pain syndromes.

Recent innovations in CBT delivery, such as web-based and telephone formats, have expanded its accessibility and effectiveness for diverse populations, including children and older adults, indicating a promising direction for future treatment approaches.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for individuals with chronic pain: efficacy, innovations, and directions for research. Ehde, DM., Dillworth, TM., Turner, JA.[2022]

Only 49% of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for chronic pain in children identified a primary outcome measure, highlighting a significant gap in standardized reporting practices.

Less than 50% of the studies adhered to recommended guidelines for reporting adverse events, and discussions on recruitment and retention challenges were often inadequate, indicating a need for improved trial design and reporting in pediatric pain research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Design and Reporting Characteristics of Clinical Trials of Select Chronic and Recurrent Pediatric Pain Conditions: An Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks Systematic Review. Connolly, MR., Chaudari, JY., Yang, X., et al.[2022]

In a study of 288,912 veterans aged 55 and over, COX-2 inhibitors were more commonly prescribed than non-selective NSAIDs (NS-NSAIDs) for patients with a history of gastrointestinal (GI) events, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke, indicating a preference for potentially safer options in at-risk populations.

Despite the preference for COX-2 inhibitors, 2.5% of patients with a history of GI events were still using NS-NSAIDs, highlighting a gap in adherence to treatment guidelines that recommend avoiding these medications in high-risk individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

COX-2 inhibitor and non-selective NSAID use in those at increased risk of NSAID-related adverse events: a retrospective database study. Gadzhanova, S., Ilomäki, J., Roughead, EE.[2021]

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]

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]

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]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

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

Vocal Music Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study. [2020]

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

Isn't There Room for Music in Chronic Pain Management? [2022]

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

The effects of music intervention in the management of chronic pain: a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. [2012]

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

The effect of music intervention on patients with cancer-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. [2020]

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

Efficacy and safety of pharmacological, physical, and psychological interventions for the management of chronic pain in children: a WHO systematic review and meta-analysis. [2023]

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

Chronic Pain and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: An Integrative Review. [2022]

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

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for individuals with chronic pain: efficacy, innovations, and directions for research. [2022]

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

Design and Reporting Characteristics of Clinical Trials of Select Chronic and Recurrent Pediatric Pain Conditions: An Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks Systematic Review. [2022]

10. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

COX-2 inhibitor and non-selective NSAID use in those at increased risk of NSAID-related adverse events: a retrospective database study. [2021]

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

Group Singing Has Multiple Benefits in the Context of Chronic Pain: An Exploratory Pilot Study. [2021]

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

Music therapy in pain and symptom management. [2022]

13. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Active music therapy for chronic pain: a prospective study]. [2006]