Telehealth Engaged Music for Pain Outcomes: A Music and Imagery Proof-of-Concept Study With Veterans

Journal

Journal of Music Therapy

Year

2024

Abstract

Music therapy interventions target biopsychosocial outcomes and are a non-pharmacological option for integrated pain management. To date, most music and pain studies have focused on acute pain, passive music experiences, and in-person delivery. The purpose of this study was to examine feasibility and acceptability and determine proof-of-concept for a newly developed telehealth music imagery (MI) intervention for Veterans with chronic pain. A single-group proof-of-concept pilot study was conducted with Veterans with chronic pain (n = 8). Feasibility was assessed through examination of recruitment, retention, and session/measure completion rates; acceptability through participant interviews; and whether the intervention resulted in clinically meaningful change scores (pre- to post-intervention) on measures of pain, anxiety, and depression at the individual level. For Veterans who passed eligibility screening, we had an enrollment rate of 89%, with good retention (75%). Overall, participating Veterans found the intervention acceptable, identified specific challenges with technology, and recommended an increased number of sessions. Preliminary outcome data for pain, anxiety, and depression were mixed, with some Veterans reporting clinically meaningful improvements and others reporting no change or worsening symptoms. Findings informed modifications to the telehealth MI intervention and the design of a larger pilot randomized controlled trial to assess feasibility and acceptability of the modified intervention in a larger population of Veterans with chronic pain using additional measures and a control condition.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Anxiety; Cancer; Depression; Elderly; Music Therapy; Pain Management and Control; Pain ((Outcome)); Telehealth

Indexed Terms

Elderly; chronic pain; Feasibility Studies; Pilot Projects; Depression; Pain Management; Chronic Pain; telehealth; feasibility; Telemedicine; Veterans; Pain Measurement; Anxiety; Imagery, Psychotherapy; Proof of Concept Study; Veterans; music and imagery

Study Type

Case Study; Qualitative Methods

PubMed ID

PMCID: PMC13081651

Document Type

Article

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