The Effects of Music Listening on Pain, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 2, 333 - 339, 30.06.2025

Mustafa Savaş Torlak , Bayram Sönmez Ünüvar , Osman Tüfekci , Hasan Gerçek , Burcu Dursun

https://doi.org/10.33808/clinexphealthsci.1552871

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of music listening on pain, anxiety and quality of life in Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) patients.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 60 patients aged 30-50 with CLBP. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group receiving standard physiotherapy or a music group receiving the same physiotherapy accompanied by music listening. Pain intensity, anxiety levels, and quality of life were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and SF-36, respectively, at baseline and after a 4-week intervention.
Results: Both groups showed significant reductions in pain and anxiety post-intervention, with more pronounced improvements in the music group (p<.05). The music group also demonstrated significant enhancements in physical function, emotional role, and pain perception on the SF-36 (p<.05), while other subscales showed no significant changes (p>.05).
Conclusion: listening, as an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy, effectively reduces pain and anxiety while improving certain aspects of quality of life in CLBP patients. These findings support the inclusion of music therapy as a complementary approach in the management of chronic pain.

Keywords

Physical Therapy, Low Back Pain, Music

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the ethics committee of KTO Karatay University Faculty of Medicine, non-drug and non-medical device research. (Approval date: 22.12.2023 Number: 2023/042).

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