Researchers at the University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands have published a study in Pediatric Research exploring how music affects the comfort, sleep, and physiological stability of preterm infants.
Background
Premature birth increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders due to the stressful sensory environment in neonatal care units. Preterm infants often miss vital sensory inputs, like their mother’s voice and heartbeat, which are crucial for healthy brain development. Instead, they are exposed to high-frequency sounds, potentially harming their auditory system. Recent evidence suggests that auditory enrichment, such as music, may support sensory processing and brain plasticity in these infants.
Study Design
The study involved 56 preterm infants born between 29 and 34 weeks of gestation. Participants were randomly assigned to either a music intervention group or a placebo group. Infants in the music group listened to Brahms’ Lullaby for eight minutes daily over 15 days, while the placebo group experienced silence.
The researchers measured the effects on comfort, sleep-wake states, and physiological parameters like heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation.
Key Findings
Before the intervention, comfort levels were similar in both groups. However, post-intervention results showed significant improvements in comfort among those exposed to music. The music group also exhibited a greater transition from wakefulness to sleep, particularly from a quietly awake state to quiet sleep.
No significant changes were noted in heart rate, respiratory rate, or oxygen saturation, indicating that music can enhance comfort and sleep without affecting vital signs.
Significance of the Study
The study suggests that recorded instrumental music can improve comfort and sleep transitions for preterm infants in neonatal care. While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, the findings support music’s potential neuroprotective role in fostering brain maturation.
The instrumental lullaby used minimized confounding factors related to vocalization and cultural differences among parents. Music exposure was maintained within safe decibel levels, adhering to neonatal sensory guidelines.
Limitations and Future Research
The study had limitations, including the inability to account for factors like feeding times or kangaroo care, which can influence sleep. Additionally, the alertness scale used to measure comfort was not designed specifically for sleep classification, warranting cautious interpretation of sleep results.
Researchers call for further studies to better understand music’s long-term effects on brain growth, comfort, sleep, and physiological signs in preterm infants. They aim to use a validated Behavioral Sleep Stage Classification for Preterm Infants (BeSSPI) in future research.
The team is currently investigating how the same music intervention impacts structural and functional brain development in preterm infants.
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