Feasibility and Acceptability of Music Therapy for Chronic Pain

Feasibility and Acceptability of Music Imagery, and Listening Interventions for Analgesia (FAMILIA)

The purpose of the study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of two music interventions delivered through telehealth for chronic musculoskeletal pain. This pilot study evaluates outcomes (feasibility, acceptability, pain and associated outcomes) in a single-component, minimally interactive music listening (ML) intervention and a multi-component, more interactive music imagery (MI) intervention.

FAMILIA is a 3-arm, parallel group, pilot trial. Sixty Veterans will be randomized to one of three conditions: MI, ML, or usual care. Aim 1 is to test the feasibility and acceptability of a multi-component, interactive MI intervention (8-weekly, individual sessions) and a single-component, minimally interactive ML intervention (independent music listening). Feasibility metrics related to recruitment, retention, engagement, and completion of treatment protocol and questionnaires will be assessed. Up to 20 qualitative interviews will be conducted to assess Veteran experiences with both interventions, including perceived benefits, acceptability, barriers, and facilitators. Interview transcripts will be coded and analyzed for emergent themes. Aim 2 is to explore the effects of MI and ML versus usual care on pain and associated patient-centered outcomes. These outcomes and potential mediators will be explored through changes from baseline to follow-up assessments at 1, 3, and 4 months. Descriptive statistics will be used to describe outcomes; this pilot study is not powered to detect differences in outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Chronic (> 6 months) musculoskeletal pain of at least moderate severity (≥5 on 0-10 numeric scale)
• Access to a personal computer, tablet computer, and/or smartphone,
• Ability to pass technology assessment screen, and
• Not currently receiving music therapy services

Exclusion Criteria:

• Serious or unstable medical (e.g., Congestive Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) or psychiatric illness (e.g., psychosis, mania) or housing insecurity that could compromise study participation,
• Suicidal ideation with current intent/plan,
• Hearing or cognitive impairment that may interfere with music listening or abstract thinking needed for imagery work,
• Lack access to a personal computer, tablet computer, and/or smartphone,
• Unable to pass technology assessment screen, or
• Currently receiving music therapy services.