Journal article
A scoping review of music-based pain treatment mechanism research
Pain reports, v 11(4), e1467
Aug 2026
PMID: 42495015
Featured in Collection : Drexel's Newest Publications
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. This scoping review summarizes the evidence of mechanisms underlying the hypoalgesic effects of music and highlights the strengths and weaknesses of this body of research. Research supports the efficacy of music-based interventions (MBIs) for pain management, but understanding of their underlying mechanisms is lagging. This scoping review aims to map existing mechanism-focused MBI research, identify knowledge gaps, and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of this body of research. Studies were eligible if they tested a mechanism, moderator, or predictor of the effects of MBIs on clinical or experimental pain and were published in English in a peer-reviewed journal. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus from inception through February 2026. Two reviewers completed screening and data extraction, with discrepancies resolved by a third reviewer. From 663 records screened, 57 studies were included. Most studies employed experimental pain models with healthy volunteers. All but 4 studies examined the mechanisms of music audio recordings; the remaining studies examined active music-making. We identified convergent evidence for several candidate mechanisms, including positive emotional valence, cognitive agency, and sensorimotor synchronization. Evidence from neuroimaging studies point to the impact of music on early stages of pain processing as well as on higher-order cognitive and affective interpretation of pain. Finally, preliminary evidence suggests that music may restore default mode network connectivity involved in self-referential thoughts. Across studies, several methodological limitations constrained inferences. Future research should (1) employ rigorous designs that distinguish between competing mechanistic models and, when feasible, incorporate causal manipulations to test hypothesized mechanisms and (2) examine whether music influences pain processing differently in populations with vs without clinical pain.
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Details
- Title
- A scoping review of music-based pain treatment mechanism research
- Creators
- Joke Bradt (Corresponding Author) - Drexel UniversityAdam Hirsh - Indiana University IndianapolisMark P. Jensen - University of WashingtonElise Desbarats - McGill UniversityDebra S. Burns - University of MemphisJeffery A. Dusek - University of California, IrvineEric L. Garland - University of California San DiegoRaluca D. Georgescu - University of PaduaLynn Gumert - Drexel UniversityKobe Hanson - University of California San DiegoJannatul Khawsar - Drexel UniversityTanya Smit - University of WashingtonMathieu Roy - McGill University
- Publication Details
- Pain reports, v 11(4), e1467
- Publisher
- Wolters Kluwer Health
- Number of pages
- 28
- Grant note
- U24AT012603 / National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health 101155332 / European Union Horizon CIHR PJT-186139 / Canadian Institutes of Health Research CGS D - 589391 / Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada U24AT012601 / National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health R01DA058621 / National Institute on Drug Abuse U24AT012602 / National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001827183800001
- Other Identifier
- 991022197291204721