Pandora Internet Radio’s Impact on Pain Perception: The P3 Study

Abstract

Purpose: The current study investigated the impact of Pandora Internet Radio on the perception of pain in an experimentally induced cold pressor task. The current theoretical models of pain stress the importance of both physiological sensations and psychological factors on the pain experience. Distraction of attention, perceived control, and pain catastrophizing are among the psychological mechanisms identified (Mitchell & MacDonald, 2006; Sullivan et al., 2001), for moderating pain. Music therapy has been suggested as a way to target some of these psychological factors to reduce pain. Previous research by Mitchell and MacDonald (2006) has suggested that a personal preference of music is an influential factor when applying effective music therapy for pain relief. Current technological advances, such as Pandora Internet Radio, might enhance music therapy effectiveness as it may help distract people, provide some form of control with music choice (feedback system), and help people to discover new music tailored to their musical preferences (novelty). However, there has been no study of Pandora Internet Radio’s impact on pain to date. Therefore, the current study compares the use of preferred music selection, against Pandora Internet Radio, as well as against a third control group of empirically supported relaxation music. Methods: Participants were 100 undergraduate students at the University of Michigan-Dearborn who were randomly assigned into one of three music groups: relaxation, preferred, and Pandora Internet Radio. Every participant underwent an experimentally induced cold pressor task while listening to music. Demographic information, tolerance times, multiple pain severity ratings, pain catastrophizing, and other variables that may modulate music therapy effectiveness (e.g., the frequency and the importance of music in an individual’s life) were measured in each group. Results: Results from this study showed that none of the music groups were statistically more effective in regard to tolerance time for the cold pressor task, pain rating reactivity, or pain catastrophizing. However, the mean tolerance times for the relaxation, preferred, and Pandora Internet Radio music groups were in the expected direction. Conclusion: Although study hypotheses were not supported, results may tentatively suggest that Pandora Internet Radio may provide similar effectiveness as preferred music when implementing music therapy. As this is believed to be the first study to include Pandora Internet Radio as a form of music therapy, future research could provide more clarity to its effectiveness, enhancing music therapy interventions for the management of pain.