A Collaborative Approach in Mechanistic Music-Based Intervention and Pain Research: NCCIH Research Networks

This paper describes three research networks funded by the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The networks seek to advance the mechanistic understanding of music-based interventions (MBIs) for pain management. The networks address critical gaps hindering MBI research, including inconsistent terminology, lack of mechanistic understanding, and insufficient objective measures. The Music4Pain Network focuses on the development of a taxonomy, a mechanistic framework, and research priorities; the ENSEMBLE Network promotes cross-disciplinary collaboration, collation of real-world data from clinical settings, and biomarker identification; and the Audio Analgesia Network emphasizes computational methods and innovative technologies to advance mechanistic research in MBIs. Together, these networks form the Music and Health Consortium, conducting collaborative research through specialized working groups, pilot funding opportunities, and training programs to improve the rigor and mechanistic understanding of MBIs for pain management.