Music-Induced Analgesia in Chronic Pain Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing music interventions for chronic pain in adults. Searches were conducted in PsycINFO, Scopus, and PubMed through May 2016. The primary outcome was post-intervention self-reported pain; secondary outcomes included quality of life, depression, and anxiety. Fourteen RCTs with sample sizes between 25 and 200 patients met inclusion criteria.
What was found
Music interventions reduced self-reported chronic pain and depressive symptoms. The reduction in pain was greater when the patient chose the music compared to when the researcher chose it. No numerical effect sizes, confidence intervals, or p-values were reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This review supports music as a low-cost, non-invasive adjuvant for chronic pain management, highlighting that patient choice enhances analgesic efficacy.
Limits
Individual RCT sample sizes were small and utilized heterogeneous outcome measures. Significant statistical heterogeneity was present across pooled estimates. Long-term outcomes and specific numerical effect sizes were not provided in the abstract.