Using Musical Interventions as a Non-Pharmacological Strategy to Improve Chronic Pain Levels and Satisfaction Among Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Background Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a chronic, inherited blood disorder characterized by severe pain episodes that are often poorly managed with standard pharmacological treatments. In response to patient dissatisfaction with pain control and the desire for holistic alternatives, this quality improvement project explored music therapy as a non-pharmacological pain management strategy. Purpose The primary aim was to reduce chronic pain by at least 20% and improve patient satisfaction with pain management among adults with SCD using a structured musical intervention. Methodology This project was implemented at a comprehensive outpatient SCD clinic using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model. Five adult patients participated in a nine-week intervention involving 30-minute, genre-based music playlists three times weekly. Pain levels and satisfaction were measured using the Numeric Rating Scale and brief surveys. Data analysis included weekly pain averages, ANOVA, and thematic review of qualitative feedback. Results Participants reported a 47.5% average reduction in pain, exceeding the project’s goal. R&B music was associated with the most consistent pain relief. Patients expressed high satisfaction and interest in continuing music therapy. Some limitations included declining engagement and small sample size, which affected data completeness. Implications This project supports music therapy as a feasible, affordable, and culturally relevant strategy to complement existing SCD pain management. With improved engagement strategies and larger-scale implementation, music therapy could enhance holistic care and reduce disparities in pain treatment for underserved populations. Future research should explore the long-term effectiveness of music therapy in larger, more diverse samples and investigate how personalization of music selection may optimize outcomes.