A recent study has shed light on the benefits of music therapy for preterm infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), offering important insights for music therapists, caregivers, and healthcare providers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to understand the effectiveness of music therapy in improving the health and development of preterm infants in the NICU, compiling data from 13 trials involving over a thousand participants.
The findings showed that music therapy had a important influence on several key factors: it steadied heart rates and breathing rates, improved feeding volume, and reduced stress levels in infants. Mothers also benefited as the therapy helped to lower their stress. These mothers often experience high anxiety when their infants are in the NICU. These results emphasize the power of music as a non-invasive intervention that can improve not only physical health but also emotional wellbeing for both infants and their caregivers.
Interestingly, while music therapy showed no influence on oxygen capacity or over-all behavioral states, its positive impact on heart rate, breathing, and feeding behaviors is particularly meaningful. These improvements can play a significant role in the early development of preterm infants, helping them grow stronger and more stable during a critical time.
As a music therapist working with caregivers and infants in Athens, Ohio, this study resonates deeply with my work. While I may not be in a NICU setting, many mothers I work with have gone through the NICU experience or know someone who has. Understanding how music therapy can play a role in supporting infants’ development and reducing parental anxiety aligns with the goals of my practice. The research highlights the potential of music therapy to provide comfort, connection, and growth for both infants and their caregivers, something I strive to offer in every session.
Knowing that music therapy can support families in such significant ways reinforces its value beyond the NICU, reminding us that the benefits of music continue to impact families well after they leave the hospital setting.
For more information on music therapy, visit our website at www.centralohiomusictherapy.com or the American Music Therapy Association’s website at www.musictherapy.org.
Yue, W., Han, X., Luo, J., Zeng, Z., & Yang, M. (2020). Effect of music therapy on preterm infants in neonatal intensive care unit: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(2), 527–542. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14630
Kayla Stubblefield, LPMT, MT-BC
Central Ohio Music Therapy, LLC