Effect of music therapy in preterm infants

ABSTRACT
Music therapy has been recognized as a supportive intervention for the neurosensory and cognitive development of both full-term and preterm newborns. The objective of this article is to provide an updated overview of the use of music therapy in preterm infants and to discuss the potential neurological pathways through which this technique may affect the vital parameters of these infants.
Studies were selected based on outcomes measured with electromedical equipment. A total of 12 studies were identified: 1 cross-sectional survey, 6 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and 5 reviews. The 5 reviews, which analyzed 232 trials, consistently reported positive effects of music therapy on the basic vital functions of infants, such as heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), oxygen saturation, feeding, and length of hospital stay.
The neural and humoral interactions stimulated by music therapy in infants may explain the improvement in their basic vital functions during and after sessions, resulting from the relaxing music programmed by the music therapist.

Received: Sept 02, 2024
Accepted: Nov 11, 2024