Understanding how music therapy helps manage pain in patients
Official title: Developing Real-world Understanding of Medical Music therapy using the Electronic Health Record (DRUMMER)
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-10954707 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well music therapy helps people with pain and symptoms, like those with cancer or sickle cell disease, by comparing it to regular treatments and seeing how it affects their overall experience and medication use over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31AT012592-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10954707 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients aged 21 and older who are experiencing pain related to conditions such as cancer or sickle cell disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience pain or have conditions not addressed by music therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the real-world effectiveness of music therapy in managing pain and symptoms for various patient populations, including those with cancer and sickle cell disease. By analyzing data from electronic health records, the study aims to identify factors that influence patient outcomes and compare the results of music therapy with standard care. The research will also explore the long-term effects of music therapy on patients' reported experiences and medication use. Patients will receive tailored music interventions from certified music therapists to help achieve their individual therapeutic goals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide evidence for music therapy as an effective non-drug approach to pain management, potentially reducing reliance on opioids.
How similar studies have gone: Previous randomized controlled trials have shown success in using music therapy for pain management, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration in real-world settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rodgers-Melnick, Samuel — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Rodgers-Melnick, Samuel
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.