Music and technology to ease adult pain
Official title: Music mechanisms and technologies network: Integrative models to address pain through music
Funded at University of Memphis · NIH-11181501 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project develops music-based approaches and tools to help adults manage acute and chronic pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Memphis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $473,385 |
| NIH project number | 5U24AT012602-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11181501 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) experiencing acute or chronic pain who are interested in non-pharmacological pain management would be the best fit.
✕Less likely to help
People under 21, those whose pain requires urgent surgical or medical treatment, or those unable to engage with music-based activities may not benefit from this work.
What this research studies
This network brings together researchers to understand how music and new technologies can reduce pain and to create better ways to measure pain. They will link psychological, behavioral, and brain-based measures with patient-reported outcomes and develop tools to deliver personalized music therapies. The project focuses on adults and aims to standardize intervention components and measurement across sites so results are more reliable. As a patient, you might be asked to try music-based tools, provide feedback, and share pain and health information to help improve these approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could provide safer, non-drug options that reduce pain using tailored music and supporting technologies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies and meta-analyses show mixed and tentative benefits for music-based interventions, so this network builds on promising but inconsistent findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Memphis
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burns, Debra S — University of Memphis
- Study coordinator: Burns, Debra S
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.