Integrating Music Therapy and Nursing for Neonatal Procedural Support Using a Pacifier Activated Lullaby Device

Area of Science:

• Neonatal care
• Music therapy
• Pediatric health

Background:

• Premature neonates often require intensive care and endure painful procedures.
• Music therapists can collaborate with nurses to provide procedural support.
• Therapeutic music interventions can aid in managing infant pain and stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the impact of a pacifier activated lullaby (PAL) device intervention on neonates undergoing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) exams.
• To assess the effectiveness of a NICU music therapist (NICU-MT) facilitating the PAL device in collaboration with nurses.
• To evaluate the PAL device's influence on infant pain and stress during ROP exams.

Main Methods:

• A NICU music therapist facilitated the PAL device intervention for 25 neonates post-ROP exam.
• Data on infant pain and stress were collected before, during, and after the procedure.
• Measurements included vital signs and pain scores at set intervals during PAL device use.

Main Results:

• The five-minute PAL intervention showed improvements in infant vital signs and pain scores.
• Measurements approached pre-procedure baseline averages after PAL device use.
• Despite procedural stress, the PAL device appeared to facilitate a return to baseline levels.

Conclusions:

• NICU music therapists and nurses can effectively use the PAL device for procedural support.
• This collaborative music therapy approach can comfort neonates during invasive procedures.
• The PAL device shows promise in mitigating pain and stress in neonates undergoing ROP exams.