Pain Management Support Study for Cancer Survivors

Ten 45-minutes individual interactive music therapy (IMT) sessions delivered by a board-certified music therapist. Sessions start with music-guided breathing or humming. The music therapist then engages the participant in singing of familiar songs and co-created vocal or instrumental music improvisations. Discussion about the meaning assigned to songs and emotions expressed through the improvisations follow. Each session involves learning and practicing music-based techniques for the self-management of pain, anxiety, stress, mood, fatigue, and sleep disturbance as these are common opioid withdrawal symptoms. Psychoeducation about opioid tapering is provided and tapering challenges experienced by the patient will be actively addressed through music-based interventions.

Ten 45-minute individual sessions delivered by a master's level clinician with training in counseling. The sessions are focused on patient-initiated conversations about their pain, life stressors and the impact on their daily life. The intervener provides nondirective, supportive care by offering supportive, validating statements and reflective listening. The intervener refrains from employing active suggestion, problem-solving or behavioral or cognitive therapy techniques. The verbal support sessions are aimed at providing an empathic, therapeutic environment to facilitate emotional expression and sharing of worries and fears. As in the IMT protocol, psychoeducation about opioid tapering will be included and will be considered the only active treatment factor for this intervention.