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Updated: May 6, 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
Bach music in preterm infants: no 'Mozart effect' on resting energy expenditure
H Rosenfeld Keidar1, D Mandel2, F B Mimouni3
1Department of Neonatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Insights
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart music significantly lowered resting energy expenditure (REE) in preterm infants. Johann Sebastian Bach music did not show a similar effect, highlighting the importance of music choice in infant therapy.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Physiology
- Music Therapy
Background:
- Preterm infants often experience metabolic instability.
- The 'Mozart effect' suggests music can influence physiological parameters.
- Previous studies indicate Mozart's music may impact resting energy expenditure (REE).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if Johann Sebastian Bach's music lowers REE in preterm infants, similar to Mozart's music.
- To compare the effects of Mozart, Bach, and no music on REE in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized clinical trial with a cross-over design was conducted.
- 12 healthy preterm infants were exposed to 30-minute periods of Mozart music, Bach music, or no music over three consecutive days.
- Resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured every minute using indirect calorimetry.
Main Results:
- Mozart music showed a trend towards lowering REE, which became significant in the third 10-minute period.
- On average, Mozart music reduced REE by 7.7% from baseline.
- Neither Bach music nor no music significantly affected REE in the preterm infants.
Conclusions:
- Mozart music significantly decreases resting energy expenditure in preterm infants.
- Johann Sebastian Bach's music does not demonstrate a similar effect on REE.
- The specific type of music used in therapy for preterm infants is crucial, as effects on REE and growth may vary.
Objective:
To study whether Johan Sebastian Bach music has a lowering effect on resting energy expenditure (REE) similar to that of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart music.
Study Design:
Prospective, randomized clinical trial with cross-over in 12 healthy, appropriate weights for gestational age (GA), gavage fed, metabolically stable, preterm infants. Infants were randomized to a 30-min period of either Mozart or Bach music or no music over 3 consecutive days. REE was measured every minute by indirect calorimetry.
Result:
Three REE measurements were performed in each of 12 infants at age 20±15.8 days. Mean GA was 30.17±2.44 weeks and mean birthweight was 1246±239 g. REE was similar during the first 10-min of all three randomization periods. During the next 10-min period, infants exposed to music by Mozart had a trend toward lower REE than when not exposed to music. This trend became significant during the third 10-min period. In contrast, music by Bach or no music did not affect significantly REE during the whole study. On average, the effect size of Mozart music upon REE was a reduction of 7.7% from baseline.
Conclusion:
Mozart music significantly lowers REE in preterm infants, whereas Bach music has no similar effect. We speculate that 'Mozart effect' must be taken into account when incorporating music in the therapy of preterm infants, as not all types of music may have similar effects upon REE and growth.
