Using personally meaningful music to change pain
An Investigation of the Intersection of Affect and Meaning in Music-Based Pain Modulation
NA · University of Virginia · NCT07036315
This test will see if music that feels personally meaningful can change how healthy adults experience pain.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Virginia (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Charlottesville, Virginia) |
| Trial ID | NCT07036315 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will enroll healthy volunteers aged 18–65 who have no acute or chronic pain and normal hearing. Participants will listen to music selected or rated for personal meaning while researchers measure pain responses and record brain activity with EEG. The project will relate trait affect and meaning-in-life measures to subjective qualities of meaningful music and pain reports. A subset of participants will take part in interviews to identify which musical features matter most and how meaning alters pain sensations.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults 18–65 with normal hearing, no current acute or chronic pain, and who can wear an EEG cap and give informed consent.
Not a fit: People with ongoing acute pain, chronic pain conditions, pregnancy, or those outside the 18–65 age range are unlikely to benefit from or be eligible for this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to a low-risk, non-drug way to reduce pain or change pain perception using personally meaningful music.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows that music can reduce pain and alter brain activity, but testing the specific role of personal meaning in music for pain modulation is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18-65 years old * Absence of acute or chronic pain * Normal hearing (either naturally or with assistance of hearing device) * Must be able to wear an EEG * Able to sign consent Exclusion Criteria: * \< 18 or \> 65 years old * Presence of acute pain (brief pain inventory score \> 3) * Pregnant women * Participant reports that they experience pain on more days than not in the past 6 months (i.e., chronic
Where this trial is running
Charlottesville, Virginia
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, Virginia, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Claudia Denoue, MD
- Email: TTC8WZ@uvahealth.org
- Phone: 4342436744
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.
Conditions: The Focus of the Study is Healthy Volunteers, Music, Pain, Meaning