Music-based interventions for chronic pain management

Area of Science:

• Pain Management
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Psychology

Background:

• Chronic pain affects millions globally, necessitating effective management strategies.
• Current treatments offer variable efficacy and can have side effects.
• Music-based interventions (MBIs) are increasingly explored as a non-pharmacological approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the benefits and harms of music-based interventions (MBIs) for adults with chronic pain (lasting >12 weeks).
• To compare MBIs against active care, placebo, or no treatment/waitlist controls.
• To assess MBIs' impact on pain intensity, distress, daily functioning, psychological outcomes, quality of life, and sleep quality.

Main Methods:

• This protocol outlines a Cochrane Review of music-based interventions for chronic pain.
• Systematic review methodology will be employed to synthesize evidence.
• Subgroup analyses will explore effects based on pain etiology, intervention type, and duration.

Main Results:

• The review aims to synthesize data on MBIs' efficacy and safety in chronic pain management.
• Key outcomes include pain intensity, pain-related distress, and functional interference.
• Effects on psychological well-being, quality of life, and sleep will also be examined.

Conclusions:

• MBIs represent a promising adjunctive therapy for chronic pain.
• Further research is needed to establish optimal MBI protocols and identify patient subgroups who benefit most.
• This review will provide evidence-based guidance for clinicians and patients regarding MBIs in chronic pain management.