Neonatal Med.  2020 Nov;27(4):174-180. 10.5385/nm.2020.27.4.174.

Effects of Music Intervention Techniques on Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Preliminary Study

• Yun JY
• Kim JS
• Shim SY
• Cho SJ
• Park EA
• Chong HJ

• KMID: 2510822
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5385/nm.2020.27.4.174

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological and behavioral effects of auditory stimulation with their own parent’s voice on heart rate and sleep states of very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBWIs) in neonatal intensive care unit.
Methods
The data of 28 VLBWIs at the Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital between October 2016 and May 2017 was analyzed. They were exposed to sounds similar to those of mothers’ heartbeat they had heard in the uterus and their own parent’s voice. Heart rate was assessed as the physiological responses and sleep state of infants as behavioral response. The sleep states were categorized into six states. The music intervention program was provided twice a week.
Results
Twenty-eight babies with an average gestational age of 28 weeks (average birth weight of 1.09 kg) had undergone the sessions (average of 16 times) average of 16 times. During the initial period, there were no meaningful differences of the heart rates measured by the physiological functions before and after the sessions. However, as we move to the adaptive phase, the average heart rate was 156.96±12.22, and the pre-discharge was 149.11±12.01, which indicates meaningful differences (P<0.05). Infants’ behavioral function was statistically insignificant.
Conclusion
The music intervention techniques in the neonatal intensive care unit environment in Korea have provided positive influence to VLBWIs' physiological reactions. We were not able to come up with the relevant indicators during this phase of the study but we do plan to announce the future study results after indexing the observation results.

Keyword

Music intervention; Intensive care units, neonatal; Infant, very low birth weight

Figure

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  Figure 1. Procedures for providing music therapy in target babies.

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  Figure 2. Reproduction of amniotic fluid sound using the ocean drum to babies in an incubator.

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  Figure 3. Reproduction of heartbeat sound using the Gato box to babies in an incubator.

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