Active music sessions to help people with chronic low back pain
Official title: Does Active Music-Based Intervention Alter Cognitive Function, Sensitivity to Stimuli, Pain Catastrophizing and Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain?
Run by Texas Woman's University · NCT06940063 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program will try active music-based sessions to see if they help adults with chronic low back pain improve thinking, sensitivity to stimuli, pain-related worry, and overall quality of life.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Texas Woman's University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Denton, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 7, 2025 |
| Main results expected | March 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | March 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | January 9, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06940063 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults 18–65 with chronic low back pain (at least 3 months, primarily L4–L5, pain on at least half the days in the past 6 months) who can attend five in-person sessions and do not have excluded medical conditions.
✕Probably not a fit
People whose low back pain is from non‑musculoskeletal causes or who have prior spinal surgery, active neurologic disease, cancer, uncontrolled systemic illness, or are currently pregnant are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a prospective pre‑/post‑test intervention where eligible adults with chronic low back pain attend five clinic visits over two weeks for active music-based intervention and outcome assessments. Baseline measures include demographics, pain intensity, disability, the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI), cognitive testing, pressure sensitivity testing, pain catastrophizing, and quality-of-life questionnaires, with repeat testing after the final session. The study will compare before-and-after changes and explore whether participants with high versus low central sensitization (CSI cutoff ~33.5) respond differently. Sessions are delivered in person at the Department of Music and involve one 45–60 minute active music session on visit one and hour-long sessions on the remaining visits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could reduce pain sensitivity and pain catastrophizing while improving cognitive function and quality of life for people with chronic low back pain.
How similar studies have gone: Music-based therapies have shown modest benefits for pain, mood, and coping in other chronic pain conditions, but active music interventions specifically targeting cognitive function and central sensitization in CLBP are relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * adults 18-65 years of age * have chronic low back pain (CLBP) primarily in the L4-5 area. The CLBP is defined as a back pain problem that has persisted at least 3 months and has resulted in pain on at least half the days in the past 6 months. Exclusion Criteria: Participants will be excluded if their low back pain (LBP) is due to a non-musculoskeletal origin or they have any medical conditions that may affect the results: * Previous back surgery * Systemic arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis). * Fracture of thoracic and lumbar spine, pelvis * Infection * Tumor * Traumatic brain injury * Stroke * Seizures/epilepsy * Any other neurological disease (e.g., multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, - Parkinson's) * Circulation/vascular problems (e.g., Raynaud's) * Cancer * Uncontrolled diabetes/high blood sugar * Currently pregnant
Where it's running
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Texas Woman's University, Department of Music
Denton, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Sharon Wang-Price, PhD — Texas Woman's University
- Study coordinator: Sharon Wang-Price, PhD
- Email: swang@twu.edu
- Phone: 1 214-689-7725
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.