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Updated: May 13, 2026
Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
Music Therapy with Preterm Infants During Kangaroo Care: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study on Physiological and
Anna Carina Kriechbaum1, Bernhard Csillag1, Claudia Wenzel2
1Clinic of Neonatology, Kepler University Hospital (KUK), Level 4, 4020 Linz, Austria.
Insights
Music therapy may stabilize vital signs and improve brain activity in preterm infants during skin-to-skin care. Parents reported positive experiences, finding music therapy deeply relaxing and enhancing their bond with their infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Developmental pediatrics
- Integrative medicine
Background:
- Music therapy is gaining interest in neonatal care for its benefits to preterm infants and parents.
- Previous studies suggest positive outcomes, prompting further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore music therapy's influence on premature infants' physiological parameters during skin-to-skin care.
- To assess parental perspectives on music therapy and study involvement.
Main Methods:
- A feasibility study using a mixed-methods design in an Austrian neonatal intensive care unit.
- Collected quantitative data (heart rate, oxygen saturation, EEG) and qualitative data from parent interviews.
- Analyzed quantitative data descriptively and qualitative data using grounded theory coding.
Main Results:
- Quantitative data suggested a stabilizing effect on infants' vital parameters.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) findings indicated longer interburst intervals during music therapy.
- Parents reported deep relaxation, enhanced bonding, and significant interest in the research.
Conclusions:
- Feasibility data indicate positive trends in vital signs and brain activity with music therapy.
- Parents reported favorable experiences and observations of their infants.
- Further extensive research, particularly on EEG measurements, is needed due to the small sample size.
Abstract:
Background: Music therapy in neonatal care is a rising interdisciplinary interest in clinical practice and research. Studies showed that music therapy benefits preterm infants and their parents. We aimed to explore the possible influence of music therapy on physiological parameters in premature infants during skin-to-skin care and to assess the parents' perspectives on music therapy and participation in the research project. Methods: The feasibility project was conducted in an Austrian neonatal intensive care unit with a mixed-methods design. The subjects were six preterm infants and their parents. We collected quantitative data on heart rate, oxygen saturation, and brain activity (EEG) and analyzed them descriptively. Qualitative interviews were conducted to explore the parents' perspectives on music therapy and study participation and analyzed by using grounded theory coding. Results: The results of the quantitative data indicated a stabilizing effect on the vital parameters in the included premature infants. EEGs showed interburst intervals were longer during music therapy than before its application. Parents reported a great interest in the research project, an experience of deep relaxation through music therapy, and an intensification of their relationship with their infants. Discussion/Conclusions: Our feasibility sample indicates positive changes in the vital parameters and brain activity tendencies. The parents reported positive experiences and observations in their infants related to music therapy, and they enjoyed participating in the research project. However, the small number of subjects means that our descriptions should be interpreted cautiously, and more extensive investigations into EEG measurements in preterm infants are needed.
