Music Genre Stereotypes to Boost Relaxation in Chronic Pain Patients

Music Genre Stereotypes to Boost Relaxation in Chronic Pain Patients

Social psychological research has demonstrated that internalized stereotypes affect people's attitudes and behaviors. Music-based interventions that rely on stereotypes might have promise for keeping participants engaged in health interventions, reducing stress, and improving wellbeing.

Group Assignments

Participants will be randomized into one of four groups.

1. Group 1 (Reggae): Participants in this group will receive the stereotype and listen to the music over the 4 weeks.
2. Group 2 (Preferred): Participants in this group will listen to preferred music over the 4 weeks.
3. Control Group: Participants in this group will serve as a control and will not receive any intervention until the study is completed. They will complete a baseline survey and a follow-up survey at four weeks, as well as similar daily surveys. Some recordings will be sent to this group after the study is completed, without tracking their usage.

Intervention

All groups will complete a baseline and 4-week follow-up survey.

Participants in Group 1 and Group 2 will engage in daily listening 4-week intervention.They will have access to electronic audio recordings, with the order of listening labeled for each day. It is up to them if they want to listen to the daily recordings.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Are 18+
2. Live in the US
3. Are an English-proficient adult with a chronic pain diagnosis (no restrictions placed on type)
4. Have a pain rating of four or greater in average pain on a 0-10 numeric rating scale in the preceding week
5. Have had pain for at least 3 months and for at least 15 days in the preceding 30 days
6. Have moderate to severe anxiety based on GAD-7

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Are currently using or have used prescription opioids in the past 3 months to minimize a known treatment confound and increase sample homogeneity
2. Have a current cancer diagnosis