Introduction: Music listening during single sessions of exercise training appear to reduce dyspnoea and fatigue in COPD, but its impact as an adjunct to pulmonary rehabilitation is unclear. 

Aim: To determine the clinical effects of self-selected music listening compared to usual care during the exercise training component of pulmonary rehabilitation in people with COPD. 

Methods: Adults with COPD from 2 centres referred to pulmonary rehabilitation were randomly assigned to self-selected music listening (intervention group [IG]) or usual care (control group [CG]) during an 8-week pulmonary rehabilitation program. Prior to training, the IG completed an interview with a music therapist, identifying preferred music to listen to during training. An individualised playlist was used by IG participants during exercise sessions. Outcomes assessed were 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), dyspnoea (Multidimensional Dyspnoea Profile [MDP]) and quality of life (Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire), measured pre and post intervention. 

Results: 58 participants (IG=28; CG=30), mean(SD) age 67(8) years, FEV₁ 52.4(25.9) % pd) were recruited. There were no between-group differences with p>0.05 for all outcomes. Within-group changes at 8 weeks were significant for 6MWD and dyspnoea (all p<0.05) (6MWD: IG mean difference [95% CI] 27 [0, 54]; CG 44 [19, 68] metres; MDP Sensory: IG 2.3 [1.2, 3.3]; CG 1.5 [0.5, 2.5] points; MDP Affective: IG 3.3 [2.3, 4.3]; CG 2.2 [1.3, 3.2] points); with no difference in quality of life. 

Conclusions: Exercise capacity and dyspnoea improved in both groups, with no greater benefit from training with self-selected music listening compared to usual care.