Music as an Adjunct to Ketamine Therapy for Chronic Pain

Launched by MCGILL UNIVERSITY · May 20, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring how listening to music during ketamine infusions might help patients with chronic pain. Ketamine is a treatment given through an IV that helps relieve pain, especially for those who haven’t found relief with other options. The researchers want to see if letting patients choose their own music, or having a music therapist select the music, can improve the pain relief they experience from ketamine, compared to not listening to any music at all. Participants will track their pain levels during and after the infusion over five weeks, and the study will also gather their personal experiences with the treatment.

To join the study, participants must have chronic pain that has lasted for at least three months and have been prescribed ketamine treatment. They should have had at least one previous ketamine session that was well tolerated. Participants also need to be able to use an electronic device for tracking their pain levels and experiences. However, individuals with certain health conditions, significant hearing impairments, or a history of substance abuse may not be eligible. Overall, this study aims to understand if music can enhance the effects of ketamine in providing pain relief, which could lead to better treatment options for chronic pain patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosis of chronic (3 months) pain of noncancerous origin, including chronic primary and secondary pain conditions, irrespective of its mechanistic contributors (nociceptive, neuropathic, or nociplastic), and of moderate to severe intensity (rated ≥ 4 in a 0-10 scale);
• • Participants must have been prescribed IV ketamine treatment at the AEPMU, based on their treating clinician's assessment and judgment;
• • Prior their participation in the study, all Participants must have undergone at least one ketamine IV session in the AEPMU clinical setting, which was well tolerated and did not reveal any important adverse effects, and which is expected to be repeated;
• • Be able to use an electronic device (e.g., computer, tablet, smartphone) to complete questionnaires and diaries. For patients who may not possess such a device, a smartphone will be loaned for the duration of the study;
• • No contraindication for intravenous ketamine treatment, including: poorly controlled cardiovascular disease, pregnancy or current or past history of psychosis, moderate to severe hepatic disease, elevated intracranial or extraocular pressure, and current or past history of substance abuse;
• • Abstention from consuming grapefruit juice on the day of the ketamine infusions as it may alter the metabolism of ketamine;
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Low tolerability or ineffectiveness of previous intravenous treatment or ketamine infusions;
• • Current diagnosis or treatment for cancer;
• • Significant hearing impairment not improved with hearing aids and/or sound amplification or unwillingness to listen to music during treatment;
• • Known intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder;
• • Known risk factors for intracranial hemorrhage, including previous significant trauma, known aneurysm, or previous neurosurgery;
• • Evidence of clinically relevant disease, e.g., renal or hepatic impairment, significant coronary artery disease (myocardial infarct within a year prior to initial randomization), cerebrovascular disease, viral hepatitis B or C, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or history of seizure disorder;
• • Prior or current (i.e., past-year) history of substance use disorder (except for caffeine or nicotine use disorder) as defined by DSM-5 criteria;
• • Acute psychotic or suicidal ideation symptoms, as judged by the referring clinician.