Group music therapy for chronic pain in active duty service members
Official title: Group Music Therapy for Chronic Pain Management in Active Duty Service Members With Chronic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine · NCT07755540 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Eight weeks of group music therapy added to standard care will be tested in active duty service members with chronic pain to see if it helps reduce pain and improve well-being.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 64 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 130 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Anchorage, Alaska) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 17, 2026 |
| Main results expected | July 2028 |
| Study ends | December 2028 |
| Registry record updated | August 27, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07755540 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Active duty service members aged 18–64 with chronic benign pain lasting at least 3 months and average pain >4/10 on the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale who can read and understand English.
✕Probably not a fit
Those who do not experience changes in pain or who cannot participate fully in group sessions may receive no direct benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled trial tests an 8-week group music therapy program in active duty service members with chronic pain. Participants are randomized to music therapy plus standard care or standard care alone, with assessments at baseline, 8 weeks, and 1-month follow-up. The study uses mixed methods, including semi-structured interviews with a subset of music therapy participants to explore experiences and perceived benefits. Primary outcomes focus on pain interference and pain intensity, while secondary outcomes cover self-efficacy, mood, sleep, global impression of change, disability, and pain medication use. The intervention comprises eight weekly 75-minute group sessions emphasizing breathing, relaxation, group music-making, processing, listening, and self-management strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience reduced pain impact, better mood, and improved daily functioning.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests music therapy can help with pain and mood, but this particular randomized, mixed-methods approach in active duty personnel is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Active duty service member * Age 18 -64 years of age * Diagnosis of chronic benign pain for at least 3 months * Average pain severity greater than 4/10 on the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale * Able to read and understand English Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * Mental health conditions that would prevent compliance with or productive participation in group sessions * Cognitive impairment preventing completion of study measures * Malignant disease * Progressive neurological disorder * Moderate to profound hearing impairment not corrected with hearing aids * Previous participation in music therapy services at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER)
Where it's running
-
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER)
Anchorage, Alaska, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Joke Bradt, PhD — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Joke Bradt, PhD
- Email: jbradt@drexel.edu
- Phone: 2673595508
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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.