This study evaluates the effect of binaural beats on pain perception and subsequent need for analgesic medication use in patients suffering from diseases causing chronic pain. All patients will receive two consecutive interventions: binaural beat signals embedded in relaxing music and placebo (relaxing music without the binaural beat component), in random order.
Binaural beats consist of two artificially produced sound waves, differing in wave frequency, presented simultaneously and separately to each ear. The brain, following binaural beat processing, synchronizes to the frequency difference between the two waves. Therefore, using a 5 Hz frequency difference (theta rhythm), which promotes relaxation, we could alleviate pain perception and subsequent analgesic medication use. Patients suffering from chronic pain will receive two consecutive interventions: binaural beat signals embedded in relaxing music and placebo (relaxing music without the binaural beat component), in random order. Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings will be used to confirm brain frequency synchronization, whereas pain severity scales and a diary recording analgesic medication use will be used to identify differences between intervention and placebo arms.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
21
Relaxing music with embedded binaural beats at a frequency of 5 Hz
Relaxing music without a binaural beat component
University General Hospital of Thessaloniki AHEPA
Thessaloniki, Greece
Effect on pain severity
Comparing pre- and post-intervention perceived pain levels, using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) 0-10
Time frame: After 30 minutes of listening to binaural beat signals or sham intervention
Effect on analgesic medication use
Comparing analgesic medication active substance quantity used, documented on patient diary recordings
Time frame: One week on an "as needed" basis intervention use to alleviate pain, keeping a diary
Effect on electroencephalogram (EEG)
Evaluating differences in post-intervention EEG rhythm, using advanced biomedical signal processing, compared to baseline EEG rhythm
Time frame: 30 minutes of listening to binaural beat signals or sham intervention
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