Soothing sounds for sensitive stomachs: music therapy tested for IBS pain

NCT ID NCT06706778

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This pilot study from Yale University will test whether listening to calming, instrumental music can reduce pain and stress in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Thirty adults with moderate IBS pain will listen to pre-recorded playlists for 20 minutes twice a day, five days a week, for four weeks. Researchers will measure pain, stress, and gut bacteria changes using wearable sensors and questionnaires to understand how music might help.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Music intervention (listening to pre-recorded instrumental playlists)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a simple, drug-free way to ease IBS pain and stress at home.

What could go wrong

This is a very small pilot study with only 30 people and no comparison group. It is designed to test feasibility and mechanisms, not to prove effectiveness. Results may not apply to everyone with IBS.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Abdominal Pain irritable bowel syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Yale School of Nursing

    New Haven, Connecticut, 06477, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••