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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Published on: January 7, 2020
Alleviating distress during antepartum hospitalization: a randomized controlled trial of music and recreation therapy
Constance L Bauer1, David Victorson, Sarah Rosenbloom
1NorthShore University HealthSystem, Perinatal Family Support Center, Evanston, Illinois, USA.
Background:
Pregnant women who are placed on hospitalized bed rest experience increased antepartum-related distress. We sought to examine the efficacy of a single session music or recreation therapy intervention to reduce antepartum-related distress among women with high-risk pregnancies experiencing extended antepartum hospitalizations.
Methods:
In a randomized, single-blinded study, participants (n = 80) received 1 hour of music or recreation therapy or were placed in an attention-control group. Antepartum-related distress was measured by the Antepartum Bedrest Emotional Impact Inventory, which was administered before and after the intervention and at a follow-up period between 48 and 72 hours.
Results:
Significant associations were found between the delivery of music and recreation therapy and the reduction of antepartum-related distress in women hospitalized with high-risk pregnancies. These statistically significant reductions in distress persisted over a period of up to 48-72 hours.
Conclusions:
Single session music and recreation therapy interventions effectively alleviate antepartum-related distress among high-risk women experiencing antepartum hospitalization and should be considered as valuable additions to any comprehensive antepartum program.