Meaning in Music-Based Pain Modulation

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · Jun 23, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is looking at how the meaning people find in music might affect their experience of pain. Researchers want to understand if music that feels meaningful to someone can change how they feel pain, even in healthy people without ongoing pain. They will also talk with some participants to learn which parts of music make it meaningful and how that might make pain feel better or worse.

To join this study, you need to be between 18 and 65 years old, have no current or ongoing pain, and have normal hearing (with or without a hearing aid). Participants should also be comfortable wearing a special cap that measures brain activity (called an EEG) and able to give their consent to take part. The study is not yet recruiting, but when it begins, participants can expect to listen to music and share their feelings about it, possibly including interviews about what makes music meaningful to them. This research could help us better understand how music might be used to manage pain in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 18-65 years old
• • Absence of acute or chronic pain
• • Normal hearing (either naturally or with assistance of hearing device)
• • Must be able to wear an EEG
• • Able to sign consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • \< 18 or \> 65 years old
• • Presence of acute pain (brief pain inventory score \> 3)
• • Pregnant women
• • Participant reports that they experience pain on more days than not in the past 6 months (i.e., chronic