Listening to music during a colonoscopy

The Effect of Music During Colonoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial on Pain

Not applicable Interventional Esbjerg Hospital - University Hospital of Southern Denmark · NCT07454993

This trial sees if playing music during outpatient colonoscopy can reduce pain for adults having the procedure.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment1042 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorEsbjerg Hospital - University Hospital of Southern Denmark Academic / other
Locations1 site (Esbjerg, Region Syd)
Trial IDNCT07454993 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized interventional study compares background music played during outpatient colonoscopy with usual care to measure patient-reported procedural pain. Adults scheduled for ambulatory colonoscopy who can read Danish and provide consent are eligible, while procedures planned with propofol/general anesthesia or endoscopic mucosal resection are excluded. The primary outcome is self-reported pain during the procedure, with standardized sedation practices and outcome measures to produce a sufficiently powered estimate of effect. The intervention uses preselected popular music played during the colonoscopy at the Esbjerg Hospital endoscopy unit.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older scheduled for outpatient colonoscopy at Esbjerg Hospital who can read Danish and provide written consent are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients undergoing colonoscopy under propofol or general anesthesia or those having planned endoscopic mucosal resection are unlikely to benefit from the music intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could reduce procedure-related pain and anxiety and improve patient comfort without increasing medication use.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies in colonoscopy and other procedural settings have shown mixed but sometimes positive effects of music on anxiety and perceived pain, with inconsistent results in colonoscopy specifically.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults aged 18 years or older
* Scheduled for ambulatory (outpatient) colonoscopy
* Able to provide written informed consent
* Able to understand and read Danish

Exclusion Criteria:

* Planned colonoscopy under propofol sedation or general anesthesia
* Planned endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)

Where this trial is running

Esbjerg, Region Syd

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions PainPain Managementpaincolonoscopymusicprocedural painpain managementcolorectal cancer screening
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.