Using music to reduce stress and pain in critically ill children on mechanical ventilation

Music Listening Interventions for Children Receiving Mechanical Ventilation: A Mechanistic Trial

Not applicable Interventional University of Pittsburgh · NCT05541029

This study tests whether listening to live or recorded music can help reduce stress and pain in critically ill children on mechanical ventilation.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment171 (estimated)
Ages2 Months to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Pittsburgh Academic / other
Locations1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Trial IDNCT05541029 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This trial investigates the effects of live and recorded music listening on stress and pain biomarkers in children receiving mechanical ventilation in a pediatric intensive care unit. It employs a randomized within-subject crossover design, allowing each participant to experience both music interventions and standard care. The study aims to identify the mechanisms through which music may alleviate stress and pain, potentially offering a non-pharmacological alternative to traditional analgesic and sedative medications.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 2 months to 17 years who are intubated and expected to stay in the PICU for more than 72 hours.

Not a fit: Patients who are not expected to survive their PICU stay or have specific medical conditions such as deafness or COVID-19 may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a safer, non-drug method to reduce stress and pain in critically ill children.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results using music interventions for stress and pain management, suggesting this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 2 months -17 years old
* intubated and receiving MV
* expected to have a PICU stay of \>72 hours

Exclusion Criteria:

* Primary caregiver does not read, write, and speak English
* The child is not expected to survive the PICU stay
* The child has deafness in both ears, has a history of musicogenic epilepsy, is receiving neuromuscular blockade infusion
* The child has a diagnosis of COVID-19
* The child was admitted for a new traumatic brain injury

Where this trial is running

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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 Critical Illnessmechanical ventilationpainstressanxiety
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.