Exploring the Role of Non-Invasive Audio-Based Therapeutic Systems on Pain and Symptom Relief: A Pilot Study (Preprint)

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Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States (US) and worldwide, chronic pain affects a vast number of people and is one of the leading reasons adults seek medical care. In the US, 24.3% of adults reported chronic pain in the past three months in 2023. Chronic pain is defined as lasting three months or longer, significantly disrupting one’s daily functioning and quality of life. Chronic pain can also be accompanied by other conditions, including anxiety and depression. Health care providers should be aware of several limitations in their array of current treatment modalities. While opioid analgesics are used for moderate to severe pain management, they cause many serious adverse effects, including sedation, respiratory depression, and constipation, and a high risk of dependence and addiction. Other pain medications, such as non-opioid analgesics including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, adjuvant analgesics, and corticosteroids, similarly cause a range of side effects and organ toxicity. OBJECTIVE We conducted a pilot study to explore the potential role of a non-invasive and safe transdermal audio-based therapeutic system among 24 police professionals aged 21 to 65 years old with chronic pain, and/or associated conditions of migraine, sleep disorders, stress/anxiety, and conventional headaches. METHODS This STROBE-guided pilot study evaluated the feasibility and perceived effectiveness of a self-administered Transdermal Acoustic Pain Suppression (TAPS) intervention among police personnel in West Palm Beach, Florida. Participants completed a flexible 30-day protocol integrated into their work schedules, with data collection spanning five months due to operational constraints. Descriptive and non-parametric analyses indicated patterns of symptom reduction, perceived pain relief, and user satisfaction, supporting the usability of TAPS in this occupational setting. RESULTS Our pilot study findings showed that following therapy, more than one-third of participants (37.5%) experienced condition improvement and half reported reduced symptoms, including notable pain reduction. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this small pilot study support the rationale for larger analytic studies, designed a priori to test the hypothesis. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable
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