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.