💬In plain words
What the trial is, and whether it could suit you
Intravenous (IV) ketamine is a treatment option for patients with chronic pain that does not respond to standard therapies, primarily working by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain. Beyond pain relief, ketamine can produce dissociative sensations, classifying it as an atypical psychedelic or mind-altering drug, and may enable patients to reprocess their pain similarly to experiences with traditional psychedelics. At the Montreal General Hospital's pain clinic, the investigators have observed patients frequently listening to music during ketamine infusions, and recent research indicates that music-especially when self-selected by patients-might provide additional pain-relieving benefits by influencing central mechanisms related to pain perception and interpretation. This intersection of music and pain relief is garnering substantial scientific interest as recent advances provide more ins
Sign in to get the eligibility rules as simple questions to take to your doctor.
📋 Eligibility rules (as published)
Inclusion Criteria:
* Diagnosis of chronic (3 months) pain of noncancerous origin, including chronic primary and secondary pain conditions, irrespective of its mechanistic contributors (nociceptive, neuropathic, or nociplastic), and of moderate to severe intensity (rated ≥ 4 in a 0-10 scale);
* Participants must have been prescribed IV ketamine treatment at the AEPMU, based on their treating clinician's assessment and judgment;
* Prior their participation in the study, all Participants must have undergone at least one ketamine IV session in the AEPMU clinical setting, which was well tolerated and did not reveal any important adverse effects, and which is expected to be repeated;
* Be able to use an electronic device (e.g., computer, tablet, smartphone) to complete questionnaires and diaries. For patients who may not possess such a device, a smartphone will be loaned for the duration of the study;
* No contraindication for intravenous ketamine treatment, including: poorly controlled cardiovascular disease, pregnancy or current or past history of psychosis, moderate to severe hepatic disease, elevated intracranial or extraocular pressure, and current or past history of substance abuse;
* Abstention from consuming grapefruit juice on the day of the ketamine infusions as it may alter the metabolism of ketamine;
Exclusion Criteria:
* Low tolerability or ineffectiveness of previous intravenous treatment or ketamine infusions;
* Current diagnosis or treatment for cancer;
* Significant hearing impairment not improved with hearing aids and/or sound amplification or unwillingness to listen to music during treatment;
* Known intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder;
* Known risk factors for intracranial hemorrhage, including previous significant trauma, known aneurysm, or previous neurosurgery;
* Evidence of clinically relevant disease, e.g., renal or hepatic impairment, significant coronary artery disease (myocardial infarct within a year prior to initial randomization), cerebrovascular disease, viral hepatitis B or C, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or history of seizure disorder;
* Prior or current (i.e., past-year) history of substance use disorder (except for caffeine or nicotine use disorder) as defined by DSM-5 criteria;
* Acute psychotic or suicidal ideation symptoms, as judged by the referring clinician.
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