Mindfulness and Music for Acute Pain

This trial explores how various combinations of mindfulness and music can help manage acute pain for patients in an orthopedic clinic. Participants will experience one of four treatments: mindfulness alone, mindfulness with a steady tone, mindfulness with binaural beats (special sounds that can affect brainwaves), or mindfulness with binaural beats and soothing music. It suits those receiving pain care at the Tallahassee Orthopedic Center who can follow English instructions well. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative pain management techniques.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Research shows that mindfulness techniques are generally safe for managing pain. Studies have found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) can reduce pain and improve mental health without causing serious side effects. When combined with music or specific sounds, such as binaural beats, these techniques have shown promise in reducing stress and pain.

Binaural beats involve listening to two slightly different tones in each ear and have been studied for their calming effects. Research has found that they lower pain and anxiety levels, especially when used with music. The combination of mindfulness and binaural beats is well-tolerated and has not been linked to significant negative effects.

Researchers are excited about these treatments for acute pain because they explore non-drug methods that might offer relief without the side effects of traditional pain medications like opioids or NSAIDs. Mindfulness Pain Management focuses on training the mind to manage pain perception, potentially reducing the need for medication. The other treatments incorporate binaural beats and specialized music, which could alter brainwave activity to promote relaxation and pain relief. These approaches are unique because they aim to harness the brain's natural ability to modulate pain, offering a holistic alternative to conventional drugs.

Research has shown that listening to mindfulness recordings can help people with chronic pain feel less pain and move better. Mindfulness meditation reduces pain in both lab tests and real-life situations. In this trial, participants will be assigned to different treatment arms to explore various mindfulness approaches. One arm will involve Mindfulness Pain Management, while others will include Mindfulness Recording with Binaural Beats, Mindfulness Recording with Binaural Beats and Theta Music, and Mindfulness Recording With Sustained Tone. Some studies suggest that adding binaural beats—special sound patterns—to mindfulness exercises might help manage stress, but there's not enough proof that they relieve pain. Similarly, music with certain sound patterns might help reduce anxiety, but its effect on pain remains unclear. While some combinations of mindfulness and music have been found to help with anxiety and sleep, more research is needed to understand how they affect sudden pain.²³⁶⁷⁸