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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
Impact of daily music on comfort scores in preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial
Merel van der Straaten1, Agnes van den Hoogen1,2, Maria-Luisa Tataranno1
1Department of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Insights
Music intervention in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) significantly improved comfort and sleep for premature infants. This non-pharmacological approach enhanced infant well-being without adverse physiological effects.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Developmental pediatrics
- Integrative medicine
Background:
- Premature birth poses neurodevelopmental risks, potentially linked to altered sensory input and sleep disruption.
- Music intervention (MI) is explored as a non-pharmacological method to improve comfort and sleep in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of music intervention on comfort, sleep, and physiological parameters in premature infants within a NICU setting.
Main Methods:
- A single-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) involved premature infants (29-34 weeks gestational age).
- Infants received daily 8-minute music intervention or placebo for up to 15 days.
- Behavioral comfort scores and physiological signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation) were assessed by a blinded observer.
Main Results:
- Music intervention significantly increased comfort levels in premature infants compared to the placebo group (p=0.000).
- Infants receiving music intervention transitioned to sleep more effectively than those in the placebo group (p=0.002).
- Physiological parameters remained stable across both groups.
Conclusions:
- Music intervention is a safe and effective non-pharmacological strategy to enhance comfort and sleep in premature infants in the NICU.
- This study supports the integration of music interventions into standard neonatal care protocols.
- Findings contribute to the growing evidence base for music's positive impact on vulnerable infant populations.
Background:
Premature birth heightens neurodevelopmental risks, theorized to partly stem from altered sensory inputs and disrupted sleep patterns. Modifying the acoustic milieu through music intervention (MI) offers promise to improve neonatal comfort, reduce sleep disturbances, and stabilize physiological parameters. This study explores the impact of non-pharmacological MI on these health indicators within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Methods:
A single-blinded RCT was conducted. Premature infants (34 > GA > 29 wks) were randomly assigned to either receive 8 min of daily MI or placebo for up to 15 days. Validated behavioral comfort scores were visually obtained by a blinded observer before and after intervention. Additionally, physiological signs (HR, RR, SatO2) were recorded. Differences between the groups were analyzed using χ² tests and t-tests.
Results:
In total 56 preterm infants were included. After intervention, comfort levels increased significantly in the MI compared to placebo group (p = 0.000). Neonates receiving MI transitioned from wakefulness to a state of sleep significantly more compared to placebo (p = 0.002). Physiological parameters remained stable.
Conclusions:
This study adds to existing literature demonstrating that a music intervention in a NICU setting can enhance comfort and sleep of premature infants without adversely affecting physiological parameters.
Impact:
The study demonstrates that music interventions (MI) in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) setting can significantly increase comfort levels and positively impact the sleep of premature infants without negatively impacting their physiological parameters. This research increases evidence for non-pharmacological interventions, specifically music, as beneficial for the well-being of premature infants in NICU settings. It replicates and expands upon previous methodological designs, providing more robust evidence of MI's positive effects on this vulnerable population. The positive outcomes of music intervention could influence hospital policies by integrating non-pharmacological practices into standard neonatal care protocols to enhance developmental support for premature infants.
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