POP SINGER pilot program
Pain Management Optimized Through Patient-centered Multi-Session Group Music Therapy Within INteGrative sharEd progRamming: A Single-arm Pilot Study
This pilot tests a hybrid (half in-person, half online) group music therapy program to see if adults with chronic pain can participate and find it acceptable.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 24 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Cleveland, Ohio) |
| Trial ID | NCT07450131 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a single-arm pilot enrolling 24 adults with chronic pain most days for at least three months to test a hybrid POPSINGER group music therapy intervention. Participants will attend a mix of in-person and virtual group sessions delivered as a structured music therapy program. The study focuses on feasibility and acceptability outcomes such as enrollment, retention, attendance, and participant feedback rather than clinical efficacy. Eligibility requires independent ambulation, English literacy, and reliable internet access and devices for videoconferencing, and sessions are hosted through University Hospitals Cleveland.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older who have had pain on most days for at least three months, are independently ambulatory, can read English, are willing to attend both in-person and virtual sessions, and have reliable internet and a device for videoconferencing.
Not a fit: People with significant hearing or vision impairment, active suicidal ideation, severe psychiatric comorbidity (e.g., psychosis), recent or planned major surgery, active cancer treatment, inability to consent, or lack of reliable technology/internet or English proficiency are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a convenient non-drug group therapy option that helps people with chronic pain improve coping, mood, and social connection.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research indicates music therapy can reduce pain and improve mood, but hybrid group formats that split sessions between in-person and virtual delivery are relatively untested in chronic pain populations.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults age 18 and older * Reporting pain on most days per month for a duration of ≥3 months * Independently ambulatory * Willing to participate in full scope of program * Access to internet, active email address, \& laptop, tablet, and/or PC with videoconferencing capabilities * Have reliable access to a mobile device with an active data plan at home and is comfortable accessing the internet and their email with this device * Able to read and understand English Exclusion Criteria: * Significant hearing and/or visual impairment * Have had a major surgery (e.g., spine surgery, joint replacement) within the past 6 months * Have a planned surgery within the next 6 months at the time of enrollment * Unable to independently provide consent (i.e., no proxy consent) * Active suicidal ideation * Severe psychological comorbidity (e.g., psychosis, schizophrenia) that would prevent patient from engaging fully in intervention * Receiving active cancer treatment * Diagnosed with medical condition likely to be terminal within 24 weeks * Active substance abuse diagnosis in EHR * Currently receiving music therapy from a professional music therapist
Where this trial is running
Cleveland, Ohio
- University Hospitals — Cleveland, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Angelique Foss, CHES®, NBC-HWC, LPMT, MT-BC — University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Nita Hoxha, MBA
- Email: Nita.Hoxha@uhhospitals.org
- Phone: 216-286-6219
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.