Music Therapy in Patients Undergoing Pancreatic Surgery (MUSIC PUPS): A Mixed Methods Pilot Study

Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) and distal pancreatectomy (DP) are painful procedures often accompanied by psychological distress. Music therapy interventions such as music-assisted relaxation and imagery (MARI) have demonstrated efficacy for acute pain but have not been examined within PD/DP. Gene expression mechanisms by which MARI may affect pain also remain poorly understood.

This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of administering MARI, collecting dried blood spots (DBS), and collecting mobile-device patient-reported outcomes (MDPRO) among adults undergoing PD/DP.

In this single-arm study, patients undergoing PD/DP received a live MARI intervention that was subsequently provided as a recording for use until discharge. DBS and numeric rating scale (NRS) measures of pain, stress, and anxiety were collected pre- (T0), post- (T1), and 15-minutes-post-MARI (T2). Participants were asked to complete MDPROs 3 times/day until discharge and participate in an interview post-discharge.

Of 22 patients approached, 5 (22.7%) were enrolled (60% DP) with 80% completing all procedures. All participants completed the live MARI intervention, ≥1 NRS measure from T0-T2, ≥1 listen to the MARI recording, and ≥1 MDPRO survey. DBS sampling success was variable (9/15 [60%] across attempts). Qualitative data revealed three themes: (1) MARI was beneficial and useful throughout recovery; (2) MARI should be longer; and (3) need to improve blood sampling and mobile device procedures.

Preliminary findings support feasibility and acceptability of live MARI, continued MARI listening through discharge, and MDPRO collection within PD/DP. However, modifications are needed in future studies to improve blood sample collection.