Research into music in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Here is the next instalment of my series about research available which addresses the use of music and music therapy for babies and children. This is only a sampling of the research available.

Music Therapy in Neonatal Intensive Care

Music therapy led to increased breastmilk production and reduced stress for mothers of NICU babies
Ak, J., Lakshmanagowda, P., G C M, P., & Goturu, J. (2015). Impact of music therapy on breast milk secretion in mothers of premature newborns. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research : JCDR, 9(4), CC04-6.

Positive impact on behavioural states, physiologic measures, increase in oxygen saturation, increase in sleep quality/ quantity, increased weight gain/ caloric intake, improved sleeping at 5 weeks post-term, advanced motor development, verbal development. Positive influence on wellbeing of parents, bonding
Haslbeck, F. (2012). Music therapy for premature infants and their parents: An integrative review.  Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 1-38.

Music therapy increases bonding and decreases parental anxiety
Loewy, J. (2015). NICU music therapy: Song of kin as critical lullaby in research and practice. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences,13371(1), 178-185.

Babies less irritable, cried less, better self-regulation
Malloch, S., Shoemark, H., Črnčec, R., Newnham, C., Paul,  C., Prior, M., . . . Burnham, D. (2012). Music therapy with hospitalized infants—the art and science of communicative musicality. Infant Mental Health Journal, 33(4), 386-399.

Increased oxygen saturation, weight gain, shorter stay, Increased tolerance, promotes bonding etc.
Standley, J. (2002). A meta-analysis of the efficacy of music therapy for premature infants. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 17(2), 107-113.

Music therapy increased breastfeeding rates
Vianna, M., Barbosa, A., Carvalhaes, A., & Cunha, A. (2011). Music therapy may increase breastfeeding rates among mothers of premature newborns: A randomized controlled trial. Jornal De Pediatria, 87(3), 206-12.

Babies went home average of 12.9 days earlier
Walworth, D., Standley, J. M., Robertson, A., Smith, A., Swedberg, O., & Peyton, J. J. (2012). Effects of neurodevelopmental stimulation on premature infants in neonatal intensive care: Randomized controlled trial. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 18(6), 210-216.