Using music therapy to reduce pain and anxiety during early pregnancy loss procedures

The Efficacy of Music as an Adjunct Analgesic in Reducing Pain and Anxiety During Ultrasound-guided Manual Vacuum Aspiration (USG-MVA): A Randomized Controlled Trial

NA · Chinese University of Hong Kong · NCT04708808

This study is testing if music therapy can help reduce pain and anxiety for women undergoing a procedure for early pregnancy loss.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment176 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorChinese University of Hong Kong (other)
Locations1 site (Hong Kong, Shatin)
Trial IDNCT04708808 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of music therapy as an adjunct to pain management during ultrasound-guided manual vacuum aspiration (USG-MVA) for early pregnancy loss. The aim is to determine if music can help reduce anxiety and pain perception in women undergoing this procedure, which is typically performed under local anesthesia. Participants will be randomized to receive either music therapy or standard care during the procedure, with outcomes measured in terms of pain scores and overall satisfaction. The study builds on previous findings that suggest psychological factors significantly influence pain experiences during medical procedures.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are women aged 18 and older who are hospitalized for termination of a first trimester pregnancy under local anesthesia.

Not a fit: Patients who are minors, have hearing impairments, or are on anxiolytics and analgesics prior to the procedure may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved pain management and patient satisfaction during early pregnancy loss procedures.

How similar studies have performed: While music therapy has been explored in various medical contexts, this specific application in USG-MVA is novel and has not been previously tested in randomized controlled trials.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Women 18 years old or above
* hospitalized for termination of first trimester pregnancy under local anaesthesia

Exclusion Criteria:

* being a minor or adult protected by law
* not feasible for MVA procedure
* Partial or total hearing impairment
* on anxiolytics and analgesics before arriving at the hospital
* refusal to participate

Where this trial is running

Hong Kong, Shatin

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: First Trimester Abortion, Surgical Abortion, Music Intervention, Local Anesthesia, Pain, music, termination of pregnancy, suction curettage

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.