Music Therapy Shows Promise in Alleviating Back Pain in Emergency Room Patients

Music therapy is emerging as a simple, cost-effective approach to help manage back pain in emergency departments. A recent Harvard study demonstrated that patients experiencing back pain, often caused by nerve issues or spinal problems, reported reduced anxiety and discomfort after listening to self-selected relaxing music during their visit. This intervention, which involves providing headphones and a music player, is easy to implement and has shown significant benefits without any adverse effects. Since many patients with acute back pain are treated with temporary medications like anti-inflammatories, analgesics, or even opioids, integrating music therapy could reduce reliance on these drugs by addressing the anxiety component that exacerbates pain.

The study revealed that approximately 2.6 million emergency department visits annually are due to pain. In this context, music therapy works by distracting patients, calming their nervous systems, and potentially decreasing pain perception. It’s especially useful in overcrowded emergency rooms where long wait times and chaotic environments can heighten patient anxiety. Participants in the study listened to music for 10 minutes before having their pain and anxiety levels assessed. The results showed improvements across the board, regardless of the musical genre, whether individual preferences or curated playlists.

Experts like Scott Weiner and Charlotte Goldfine emphasized that this approach is fully accessible and inexpensive—requiring only a music device and headphones. The technique does not target the root causes of back pain but alleviates the emotional distress linked to it. As Weiner pointed out, distraction methods like music or coloring can significantly help patients cope with severe discomfort, especially in stressful ER settings.

Doctors are already applying these insights in clinical practice, allowing patients to select their preferred music during procedures to enhance their experience and reduce pain. Researchers are also exploring further applications of music therapy, including its potential in managing substance-use disorders. Overall, this innovative strategy presents a promising way to improve patient care with minimal cost and effort.

For more information, see the study: Charlotte E. Goldfine et al, "Randomized Trial of Self-Selected Music Intervention on Pain and Anxiety in Emergency Department Patients with Musculoskeletal Back Pain," Western Journal of Emergency Medicine (2025). [DOI: 10.5811/WESTJEM.34871]