Group Music Therapy for Chronic Pain Management in Active Duty Service Members

Phase 2RecruitingNCT07755540

Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine130 enrolled

Overview

This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week group music therapy intervention for active duty service members with chronic pain. Participants will be randomized to either a group music therapy intervention plus standard care or standard care alone. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post- treatment (8 weeks), and 1-month follow-up. Primary outcomes include pain interference and pain intensity. Secondary outcomes include pain-related self-efficacy, depression, anxiety, positive affect, sleep disturbance, patient perception of change, and pain medication use. Qualitative interviews will be conducted with a subset of participants who receive music therapy to explore subjective experiences and perceived treatment benefits.

Chronic pain is a significant health concern among military personnel and veterans and is associated with disability and reduced quality of life. Music therapy is a non-pharmacological intervention that may address biological, psychological, and social factors contributing to chronic pain. This mixed-methods research study embeds qualitative inquiry within a randomized controlled trial. A total of 130 active duty service members with chronic pain will be randomized 1:1 to either an 8-week group music therapy intervention plus standard care or standard care alone. The music therapy intervention consists of eight weekly 75-minute sessions delivered in groups of 6-8 participants and includes music-guided breathing, music-based relaxation exercises, group improvisation, verbal processing, listening to meaningful music, and instruction in music-based pain self-management strategies. Primary outcomes are pain interference and pain intensity. Secondary outcomes include pain-related self-efficacy, depression, anxiety, positive affect, sleep disturbance, patient global impression of change, disability, and pain medication use. Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline, week 8, and 1-month follow-up. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with approximately 20 participants from the music therapy arm after follow-up assessment to explore treatment experiences and perceived benefits

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 64 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Active duty service member * Age 18 -64 years of age * Diagnosis of chronic benign pain for at least 3 months * Average pain severity greater than 4/10 on the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale * Able to read and understand English Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * Mental health conditions that would prevent compliance with or productive participation in group sessions * Cognitive impairment preventing completion of study measures * Malignant disease * Progressive neurological disorder * Moderate to profound hearing impairment not corrected with hearing aids * Previous participation in music therapy services at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Pain Intensity

As measured by the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS), where each item is scored 0-10 and a higher total score indicates a worse outcome.

Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and 1-Month Follow-Up as well as pre and post- session

Pain Interference

As measured by the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference 8-item Scale, where each item is scored 1-5 and a higher total score indicates a worse outcome.

Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and 1-Month Follow-Up

Secondary Outcomes

Pain-related self-efficacy

As measured by the 6-item University of Washington Pain Related Self-Efficacy Scale (UWPRSE), where each item is scored 1-5 and a higher total score indicates a better outcome.