Effectiveness of Music on Behavioural and Physiological Responses of Preterm Neonates in the Selected Neonatal Intensive Care Units of Mangalore

Premature birth, commonly used as a synonym for preterm birth, refers to the birth of a baby before its organs are mature enough to allow normal postnatal survival, and growth and development as a child. Premature infants are at greater risk for short- and long-term complications, including disabilities and impediments in growth and mental development. The popularity and credibility of alternative treatment modalities such as music therapy also has increased over the past decade. Music has been used in improving general health, decreasing the length of hospitalization, increasing tolerance for stimulation and reinforcing or structuring the achievement of developmental goals of infants. Specifically, three basic music therapy procedures have been documented as beneficial playing recorded, carefully selected lullabies, singing lullabies to sustain homeostasis during multimodal stimulation, and using music as reinforcement for non-nutritive sucking. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of music on behavioural and physiological responses of preterm neonates in the selected intensive care units of Mangalore. Objectives of the study To assess the behavioural and physiological responses of the preterm neonates before, during, and after the music in the neonatal intensive care unit. To evaluate the effectiveness of music on the behavioural and physiological responses of the preterm neonates before and during, during and after, and before and after the administration of music in the neonatal intensive care unit. Methods A quasi experimental design was used for the present study. The sample consisted of 30 preterm babies of gestational age 30-36 weeks. Music was played over 30 minutes for three consecutive days. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation were assessed using a stethoscope and pulse oximeter. The behavioural responses were measured using a behavioural observation scale. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, paired -t- test, and ANOVA Results Majority of the preterm neonates were male (60.00 %), were 30-32 weeks of gestational age at maturity (63.30 %), were delivered by caesarean section (53.30 %), and weighed less than 1.5 kg at birth (60.00 %). There was gradual increase in the mean score of the preterm neonates in all the parameters of the behavioural responses from before the intervention to after the intervention on all three days. Also there was increase in the mean score of all the parameters before starting the intervention on the first day when compared to the mean score after the cessation of the intervention on the third day. The effect of music on the behavioural responses of the neonates before, during and after the intervention on first, second and third days was calculated using ANOVA. The calculated values are higher than the table value except for rooting reflex (2.071) and sucking reflex (2.071) on Day 3. The calculated -t- values were higher than the table value except for rooting reflex on Day 3 (t29=1.44, P0.05), sucking reflex on Day 3 (t29=1.44, P0.05), and cry on Day 2 (t29=1.44, P0.05). However, the overall -t- values for all three days were significant. Hence the null hypothesis is accepted only for rooting reflex on Day 3, sucking reflex on Day 3, and Cry on Day 2. There was difference in the mean score of the preterm neonates in all the parameters of the physiological responses from before the intervention to after the intervention on all three days. The heart rate had decreased from 144.0711.934 to 133.7012.183, the respiratory rate had increased from 45.736.570 to 48.175.266, and oxygen saturation had increased from 94.77 %2.285 to 97.73 %1.999. The effect of music on the physiological responses of the neonates before, during and after the intervention on first, second and third days was calculated using ANOVA. The calculated values are higher than the table value except for respiratory rate on Day 1 (1.882). But on the third day the values were significant. The calculated -t- values before and after the administration of music were higher than the table value except for heart rate on Day 1 (t29=0.85, P0.05) and respiratory rate on Day 1 (t29=0.37, P0.05) and Day 3 (t29=1.35, P0.05). The calculated -t- values before and after the administration of music were higher than the table value except for respiratory rate on Day 1 (t29=1.55, P0.05) and Day 3 (t29=1.70, P0.70), and oxygen saturation on oxygen saturation on Day 2 (t29=1.47, P0.05). Conclusion Music stimulates the sense and has a positive effect in stabilising the cardio-respiratory and behavioural state of preterm neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit.