The effect of music on pain and subjective experience in image-guided musculoskeletal corticosteroid injections: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To investigate the role of music on subjects undergoing routine image-guided musculoskeletal corticosteroid injections and its effect on post-procedure pain and subjective overall experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This prospective study was IRB-approved and HIPAA-compliant. A total of 126 subjects referred for outpatient image-guided musculoskeletal corticosteroid injections were enrolled in the study and randomized into a music offered group ((+)MO) and a no music offered group ((-)MO). (+)MO subjects were given the opportunity to listen to music during their corticosteroid injection. All subjects were then given an anonymous survey on which they recorded their pre-procedural and post-procedural pain on a scale from 0 to 9 and rated their overall experience and how likely they were to recommend our department for musculoskeletal procedures on scales from 1 to 5.

RESULTS:

(+)MO subjects had significantly lower post-procedural pain (p = 0.013) and significantly greater decrease in pain (p = 0.031) compared to (-)MO subjects. Among the (+)MO subjects, there was no statistically significant difference in post-procedure pain (p = 0.34) or change in pain (p = 0.62) if music was accepted or declined. However, subjects who listened to music did have lower post-procedural pain compared to those who did not listen to music (p = 0.012), although the differences in the decrease of pain between the two groups did not quite reach statistical significance (p = 0.062).

CONCLUSIONS:

Playing music during image-guided musculoskeletal corticosteroid injections may reduce patients' post-procedure pain. Offering patients some measure of control over their procedure may be a factor that contributes to decreased post-procedure pain as well.

• Authors: Weier Li, Roy G Bryan 2nd, Arvin Kheterpal, Frank J Simeone, Connie Y Chang, Martin Torriani, Ambrose J Huang
• Journal: Skeletal radiology (Skeletal Radiol) Vol. 49 Issue 3 Pg. 435-441 (Mar 2020) ISSN: 1432-2161 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 31435716 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones

Topics

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones (administration & dosage)
• Female
• Humans
• Injections (adverse effects)
• Intention to Treat Analysis
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Musculoskeletal Diseases (drug therapy)
• Music
• Pain Management (methods)
• Pain Measurement
• Prospective Studies