Becker Antonia S, van der Valk Bouman Emilie S, Schaap Julian, van Eijck Koen, Bierman Zahra, Saat Charlotte, Jeekel Hans, de Vos Cecile C, Klimek Markus
Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Department of Arts and Culture Studies, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Eur J Pain. 2025 Sep;29(8):e70095. doi: 10.1002/ejp.70095.
Music-induced analgesia (MIA) has been extensively studied, but the role of socio-cultural background, which shapes music preferences and perceptions, remains unexplored. This study investigates whether the effect of preferred music on pain endurance remains consistent across different socio-cultural backgrounds.
In a crossover randomised controlled trial (n = 84), participants underwent three auditory interventions in a randomised sequence: self-chosen music, researcher-chosen (classical) music and a podcast (control). After 20 min, pain endurance was tested by increasing electric stimuli while participants continued listening. Additionally, pain threshold, perceived pain scores, heart rate variability (HRV) and emotions were measured.
Compared with the control condition, self-chosen music significantly increased pain endurance (β = 0.74, p = 0.003) and reduced pain intensity (β = -0.43, p < 0.001) and unpleasantness (β = -0.38, p = 0.007). Both self-chosen (β = 0.32, p = 0.034) and researcher-chosen music (β = 0.37, p = 0.018) increased the pain threshold compared to the control condition. These pain measurements were not influenced by participants' socio-cultural background (cultural capital, level of education). HRV analysis revealed more parasympathetic activity with the researcher-chosen music and higher heart rate with the self-chosen music than with the control intervention.
Listening to self-chosen music was effective in MIA, irrespective of socio-cultural background or type of music. In contrast, researcher-chosen (classical) music was most effective in enhancing parasympathetic activity. This study highlights that self-selected music in line with personal preferences is effective for pain relief, encouraging personalised approaches in MIA.
This study revealed that self-chosen music significantly enhances pain endurance and reduces subjective pain scores, regardless of socio-cultural background and type of music. In contrast, researcher-chosen (classical) music increases parasympathetic activity, indicating a more 'relaxed' state. These findings suggest that different types of music may serve different functions, with self-chosen music being especially effective for pain relief. Encouraging patients to self-select their music could improve pain management outcomes, underscoring the importance of personalised approaches when using music for pain relief.
音乐诱导镇痛（MIA）已得到广泛研究，但塑造音乐偏好和认知的社会文化背景的作用仍未得到探索。本研究调查了在不同社会文化背景下，偏好音乐对疼痛耐力的影响是否保持一致。
在一项交叉随机对照试验（n = 84）中，参与者以随机顺序接受三种听觉干预：自选音乐、研究者选择的（古典）音乐和播客（对照）。20分钟后，在参与者继续聆听的同时，通过增加电刺激来测试疼痛耐力。此外，还测量了疼痛阈值、疼痛感知评分、心率变异性（HRV）和情绪。
与对照条件相比，自选音乐显著提高了疼痛耐力（β = 0.74，p = 0.003），降低了疼痛强度（β = -0.43，p < 0.001）和不愉快感（β = -0.38，p = 0.007）。与对照条件相比，自选音乐（β = 0.32，p = 0.034）和研究者选择的音乐（β = 0.37，p = 0.018）均提高了疼痛阈值。这些疼痛测量结果不受参与者社会文化背景（文化资本、教育水平）的影响。HRV分析显示，与对照干预相比，研究者选择的音乐具有更多的副交感神经活动，自选音乐时心率更高。
无论社会文化背景或音乐类型如何，聆听自选音乐在音乐诱导镇痛中均有效。相比之下，研究者选择的（古典）音乐在增强副交感神经活动方面最有效。本研究强调，符合个人偏好的自选音乐对缓解疼痛有效，鼓励在音乐诱导镇痛中采用个性化方法。
本研究表明，无论社会文化背景和音乐类型如何，自选音乐均能显著提高疼痛耐力并降低主观疼痛评分。相比之下，研究者选择的（古典）音乐可增加副交感神经活动，表明处于更“放松”的状态。这些发现表明，不同类型的音乐可能具有不同的功能，自选音乐对缓解疼痛尤其有效。鼓励患者自选音乐可改善疼痛管理效果，强调在使用音乐缓解疼痛时采用个性化方法的重要性。
