Astudybasedonfunctionalnear-infraredspectroscopy:Corticalresponsestomusicinterventionsinpatientswithmyofascialpainsyndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common form of chronic musculoskeletal pain affecting over 300 million people in China, with lifetime prevalence reaching 85% in the general population. While medications remain the primary treatment, their side effects have led to interest in complementary therapies like music intervention. However, pain assessment typically relies on subjective scales rather than objective measures. This study used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to objectively measure brain responses to music interventions in MPS patients, aiming to understand the neurological mechanisms behind music's pain-relieving effects.

Researchers recruited 15 MPS patients (9 females, 6 males, average age 37.87 years) for this self-controlled study. Each participant underwent two identical experiments: one without music and one with soothing synthetic music (8-150 Hz frequency, 50-70 dB volume). During both sessions, a trained therapist applied standardized pressure (3-4 kg/cm²) to trigger pain at the patient's affected area. The fNIRS device monitored brain activity by measuring oxygen-hemoglobin concentration changes in the prefrontal cortex and motor cortex.

The experiments followed a block design with three periods of pain stimulation alternating with rest periods. Participants also provided visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores.

Music intervention significantly reduced brain activation in pain-related regions compared to the no-music condition. Nine participants showed statistically significant pain relief (p<0.05) with music. The study revealed decreased activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), anterior prefrontal cortex (aPFC), and motor areas during music intervention. Functional connectivity between brain channels was also diminished with music.

VAS scores were significantly lower with music intervention, showing strong correlation with objective brain measurements. The dlPFC showed high correlation with aPFC (r=0.82) and weak correlation with premotor cortex (r=0.40) during pain response with music.

This study provides objective neurological evidence that music intervention can effectively reduce pain perception in MPS patients. The findings suggest music works through a top-down mechanism, where the prefrontal cortex coordinates with other brain regions to regulate pain and emotions. Music appears to reduce brain activation in pain-processing areas and decrease connectivity between pain networks. For clinicians, this validates music therapy as a non-invasive, evidence-based complement to traditional pain management.

For patients, it confirms that listening to appropriate music during painful procedures or chronic pain episodes may provide genuine neurological relief, not just distraction.