Effects of Music Therapy in Chronic Neck Pain

June 14, 2026 updated by: Nurcan Contarli, Karabuk University

The Effects of Music Therapy on Pain, Cervical Position Sense, and Balance in Individuals With Chronic Neck Pain

This study aims to investigate the effects of music therapy on pain, cervical position sense, and balance in individuals with chronic neck pain. Chronic neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder that may impair proprioception and postural control, negatively affecting daily functioning and quality of life. Music therapy is a safe, low-cost, and non-pharmacological intervention with potential benefits for pain management and sensorimotor function; however, evidence regarding its effects in musculoskeletal rehabilitation is limited. In this study, nineteen individuals with chronic neck pain will listen to instrumental Turkish Classical Music in the Nihavend mode for 60 minutes. Pain intensity, cervical position sense, and static and dynamic balance will be assessed before and after the intervention. The findings are expected to provide evidence for the clinical use of music therapy as an adjunctive treatment in chronic neck pain rehabilitation.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The aim of this project is to investigate the effects of music therapy on pain, cervical position sense, and body balance in individuals with chronic neck pain. Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder that can lead to disability. It significantly affects daily life activities and is more prevalent in women compared to men. In individuals with neck pain, functional deficiencies in the neck muscles and impairments in cervical mechanoreceptors can influence body balance. Inflammatory mediators and the negative impact of pain on proprioceptors may lead to deterioration in proprioceptive sensation. A reduction in proprioceptive input from the neck may weaken joint movement control and increase the risk of injury. Currently, neck pain is primarily treated with pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and physiotherapy methods. However, in individuals with chronic neck pain, the continuous use of medication may cause side effects and impose a financial burden. Moreover, especially for working individuals, additional treatment time may be required to restore job performance. Furthermore, individuals with neck pain may not always have access to treatment services. Music has been used since ancient times by various civilisations as an alternative treatment method with no side effects. Music therapy is an inexpensive and safe intervention known to reduce pain and anxiety and improve postural control and body awareness. There is limited research on the effects of music therapy in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders. This study aims to demonstrate the clinically specific effects of music as a simple and cost-effective treatment method, helping individuals with chronic neck pain become more productive in both daily and professional activities. In this study, the effects of music therapy as an alternative treatment method on individuals with chronic neck pain will be examined. Nineteen patients with chronic neck pain will listen to instrumental Turkish Classical Music in the Nihavend mode-which is suggested to have positive effects on mood and pain relief-using a media player and headphones for 60 minutes. Before and after music listening, pain severity, cervical position sense, and static and dynamic balance parameters will be evaluated. It is expected that the results will provide a scientific basis for the broader clinical use of music therapy and contribute significantly to the quality of life of individuals experiencing loss of position sense and balance disorders.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
19

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Being between 20-50 years old
  • Having experienced neck pain for at least 3 months
  • Having a resting neck pain score of 3 or higher on the Numeric Pain Scale
  • Being willing to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with surgical indications for and/or who have undergone surgery in the cervical region
  • Having received physiotherapy and/or other treatment for neck pain within the last year
  • Those with a history of trauma and systemic disease in the cervical region (malignant condition, systemic rheumatic disease, etc.)
  • Having additional musculoskeletal diseases that may also affect the cervical region (thoracic outlet and scoliosis, etc.)
  • Having a psychiatric illness
  • Being visually impaired

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: music therapy group
The effect of music on individuals with chronic neck pain will be examined as a simple and cheap alternative method. Nihavend Makam instrumental Turkish Classical Music, claimed to affect mood and pain-relieving properties positively, will be listened to for 60 minutes using a media player and headphones for 19 individuals.
Procedure: Music intervention
The effect of music on individuals with chronic neck pain will be examined as a simple and cheap alternative method. Nihavend Makam instrumental Turkish Classical Music, claimed to affect mood and pain-relieving properties positively, will be listened to for 60 minutes using a media player and headphones for 19 individuals.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pain Assessment
Time Frame: 1 day
The Numerical Pain Scale and an algometer will be used in pain assessment. The Numerical Pain Scale uses a vertical line on a plane with scores between 0 and 10. The pain a person feels is represented as follows: "0: no pain", "10: very severe pain". Individuals are asked to rate the pain they feel on a scale of 0 to 10. The validity and reliability of the Numerical Pain Scale for assessing pain have been reported in the literature. Collins et al. (1997) classified pain intensity as mild (3 cm and below), moderate (3.1-6.9 cm), and severe (7 cm and above) neck pain.
1 day
Pressure-pain threshold assessment
Time Frame: 1 day
An algometer is an instrument that objectively measures pressure pain threshold and pain tolerance. The algometer is a mechanical pressure gauge with a circular rubber tip at the end of a spring-loaded cylinder, a pressure surface area of 1 cm², and displays the measured value in kg/cm². Its caliber range is 100 g and 10 kg/cm². Measurements were taken at the level of the right and left zygapophyseal joints of the dysfunctional cervical segment identified during physical examination. During the assessment, participants will be asked to lie prone, and the algometer probe will be placed perpendicular to the skin at a 90-degree angle. The applied pressure will be gradually increased, and the participant will be asked to report the first instance of pain. Measurements will be taken once, and the result will be recorded in kilograms.
1 day
Cervical joint position sense assessment
Time Frame: 1 day
Positional awareness will be measured using a CROM (CROM Deluxe, Performance Engagement Partners, Roseville, Minnesota, USA) inclinometer. Neck flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation movements will be assessed with eyes closed. CROM Deluxe is an inclinometer developed by the University of Minnesota and its validity and reliability have been demonstrated.
1 day
Balance assessment
Time Frame: 1 day
Postural balance was assessed using the Bertec Balance Legacy System device. The device's rigid platform detects body oscillations. However, a soft surface can be obtained thanks to the foam cushion that can be placed on top. The platform must be placed on a flat surface so that it does not move. The individual's center of pressure is visualized via the platform, and oscillations occurring in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions can be monitored. Changes occurring on the platform are displayed on a computer screen using Bertec Workbook software. On the screen, a coordinate plane representing the AP and ML directions and a cursor representing body mass are shown within a black square.
1 day

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Karabuk University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
July 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
August 25, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
August 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 14, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 14, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
June 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 22, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 14, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • KBU-FTR-NC-12

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Data are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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