Overview
In 2023, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) and National Institute on Aging (NIA), with co-funding support from NIH’s Office of Behavior and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) and National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), funded four music research networks to promote multidisciplinary mechanistic studies of music-based interventions (MBIs) for pain or Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD). These networks are expected to develop compelling research frameworks that will effectively guide future clinical studies on MBIs in the context of these health conditions; adopt consistent terminology and taxonomy; support interdisciplinary collaborations; and initiate 1-year pilot projects to test novel mechanistic hypotheses.
The purpose of the current FOA is to support 1-year pilot studies to generate the necessary preliminary data to strengthen future NIH applications for later-stage studies on mechanisms through which music may have a positive impact on health in the context of pain or AD/ADRD. These pilot studies will also facilitate multidisciplinary collaborations among neuroscientists, music therapists, musicians, and biomedical, behavioral, or social scientists.
Music-based interventions have been investigated for efficacy in the amelioration of symptoms related to acute pain, chronic pain, and AD/ADRD. However, when and how music may influence pain and AD/ADRD are unclear, and little is known about the mechanisms underlying the effects of MBIs.
The scientific scope of the pilot projects is limited to the following high-priority research areas, as outlined in the parent RFA-AT-23-009 for the research networks:
Research Area One: Mechanisms and Biomarkers
1) Exploration of innovative mechanistic hypotheses of the neural systems involved in the therapeutic effect of music (e.g., sensory, motor, cognitive, emotional/affective, reward, interoceptive systems) in acute pain, chronic pain, or AD/ADRD
2) Examination of non-neural physiological systems and novel measures (e.g., impact on related non-neural organs, biochemical and molecular signals, epigenetic modifications) relevant to music or MBIs for acute pain, chronic pain, or AD/ADRD
3) Investigation of psychological, behavioral, and social factors related to the effects of music or MBIs on acute pain, chronic pain, or AD/ADRD (including, but not limited to, predictors, moderators, or mediators of MBI treatment effects)
4) Discovery of treatment response or predictive biomarkers or signatures/profiles for music or MBIs in the context of acute pain, chronic pain, or AD/ADRD
Research Area Two: Technologies, Tools, & Models
1) Development and/or testing of innovative animal models to study mechanisms and biomarkers of music or MBIs in the context of acute pain, chronic pain, or AD/ADRD
2) Development and/or testing of novel technologies to measure how music or MBIs impact the brain or body, or to monitor health-related responses relevant to acute pain, chronic pain, or AD/ADRD.
Note for all pilot proposals: Primary data collection projects are appropriate, but projects must be completed within the proposed 1-year timeline. In such cases, leveraging ongoing studies by adding a study design element, measure, or using a similar approach is strongly encouraged. Secondary data analysis projects are also acceptable but must represent a novel scientific advancement. The proposals cannot include high-risk populations. No data collection for human subjects or animal research in foreign countries is permitted. All pilot applicants should be a member of one of the four networks at the time of submission.
Each network anticipates funding up to 2-3 pilot proposals. Funding priorities are as follows:
Music & Dementia Research Network: Please note that the MDRN has an interest in using mobile brain-body imaging (MoBI) technologies through its collaboration with the National Science Foundation-funded BRAIN Center (Building Reliable Advances and Innovations in Neurotechnology). The BRAIN Center will provide access to MoBI equipment, software, AI algorithms, and expertise for pilot projects funded by the Network. Technical support can be provided but the cost (e.g., travel to site for training, supplies) must be budgeted in the pilot. Depending on the level of contribution of BRAIN, some pilots would require collaboration while others only technical support. Please reach out to the Music & Dementia Research Network, as appropriate. Please note that an outline of research priorities is also found on the MDRN website.
Music4Pain Research Network: The Music4Pain Research Network will prioritize applications focused on Research Area One, subareas 1, 3 and 4.
AudioAnalgesiA: The AudioAnalgesia Network will prioritize applications focused on Research Area One, subarea 1, 2, and 4 and Research Area Two, both in the context of pain.
ENSEMBLE: The ENSEMBLE Network will prioritize applications that propose the development of large de-identified datasets of music-based interventions deployed within medical centers to address pain. In addition, ENSEMBLE Network has an interest in applications focused on Research Area One, subareas 1, 2 and 4 as well as Research Area Two, sub area 2 in the context of pain.
Eligibility Information
Research scholar affiliated with an accredited University in the United States. Early-stage investigators and under-represented minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Postdoctoral scholars can serve as the PI, but they must include a letter of support from a faculty mentor.
Pilot applications must include multidisciplinary teams.
Applicants are encouraged to register as a member of the network by the time of submission (if they haven’t already done so).