Music Therapy with Preterm Infants and Their Families after Hospital Discharge: An Integrative Review

Area of Science:

• Neonatal care
• Developmental psychology
• Music therapy

Background:

• Families of preterm infants require ongoing support after neonatal discharge.
• Challenges include infant development, family adjustments, and parental wellbeing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the impact of music therapy on preterm infants and their families post-hospital discharge.

Main Methods:

• Integrative review of six studies, systematically searched across seven databases.
• Studies were appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).
• Major themes and sub-themes were identified.

Main Results:

• Music therapy fostered supportive environments for infants and families.
• It facilitated skill acquisition for communication and connection.
• Preterm infants and toddlers showed enhanced developmental skills post-discharge.

Conclusions:

• Music therapy offers significant benefits for preterm infants and their families after hospital discharge.
• Further research is recommended to explore long-term impacts and compare therapy formats.
• Future studies should embrace diverse family structures and caregiver identities.