NOICE Device for Pain

This trial explores whether a new technology using sound, called the NOICE device, can help people manage heat pain more effectively. The study will test how well spatial audio (a type of 3D sound experience) can distract from pain. Participants will either start with the sound or without it and then switch halfway through. This trial suits English-speaking adults with normal hearing who do not have ongoing medical conditions affecting safe participation and are not using certain heart or pain medications. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research and potentially benefit from cutting-edge technology.

Yes, you will need to stop taking any pain medications to participate in this trial.

Research has shown that noise-cancelling devices might help reduce pain. In one study, noise-cancelling earmuffs lessened the intensity of moderate-to-severe pain. Another study found that noise-reducing earphones could lower the need for pain medication after surgery. These results suggest that the NOICE device, which uses special sound technology, might also help with pain. However, the NOICE device is not a medical device and is being tested to see if it can help people manage heat pain better.

Unlike traditional pain management treatments that often rely on medications or invasive procedures, the NOICE device uses spatial audio stimulation to potentially alleviate pain. This non-invasive approach is unique because it targets the brain's perception of pain through sound, offering an alternative to pharmacological solutions like opioids, which can have significant side effects and addiction risks. Researchers are excited about the NOICE device as it promises a safer and more innovative way to manage pain without the drawbacks of conventional therapies.

Research shows that spatial audio technology can enhance sound and emotional experiences, potentially aiding in pain management. Studies have found that new virtual reality (VR) technology, when combined with sound, effectively reduces pain during medical procedures. Both virtual reality and music therapy consistently ease pain. Additionally, research has shown that combining sound with methods like electrical body stimulation may help treat chronic pain. These findings suggest that the NOICE device, which uses spatial audio, could improve heat pain management. In this trial, participants will experience different treatment arms: one with spatial audio stimulation and another without, to evaluate the device's effectiveness in managing pain.⁵⁶⁷⁸⁹