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Music interferes with expectation-induced pain modulation: a controlled cross-over experimental study
Mélysiane Marcotte1,2, Pierre Rainville1,3, Dan Tcaciuc1,4
1Research Center of the Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montreal, QC, Canada.
Pain Reports
|August 25, 2025
Summary
Music and audiobooks reduce pain perception, with music showing greater effectiveness, especially for high pain levels. Both interventions can interfere with pain expectation modulation and reduce anticipatory anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Music is known to reduce pain and anxiety.
- Its effect on pain anticipatory mechanisms is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of a standardized musical intervention (Music Care) on pain perception.
- To assess music's effect on pain modulation influenced by low or high pain expectations.
Main Methods:
- A crossover design study with healthy participants.
- Conditions included a musical intervention, an audiobook control, and silence.
- Pain was induced by contact heat stimulation, with cues signaling expected pain levels.
Main Results:
- Both music and audiobook reduced perceived pain intensity compared to silence.
- Music was more effective than the audiobook for higher pain levels.
- Auditory interventions reduced anxiety and modulated expectation-induced hypoalgesic and hyperalgesic effects, but also blocked some modulatory effects.
Conclusions:
- Music-induced analgesia involves multiple processes.
- Music can aid pain management, particularly with high pain expectations and anxiety.
- Music may disrupt pain relief strategies relying on low pain expectations.
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