COMFORTneo scale in preterm infants during live performed music therapy—Difference between close physical contact and hand touch contact

There is evidence that music therapy combined with physical contact to parents stabilizes the vital signs of hospitalized preterm infants. Yet, there is no evidence for the difference between simple contact by touching the infant in the incubator or cod, or close physical contact during music therapy sessions (MT). Behavioral effects of the various forms of attention toward the infant during therapy need to be elucidated. Our study aimed to quantify the effects of hand touch contact (HTC) and close physical contact (CPC) during live performed MT in preterm infants regardless of gestational age on behavioral state (assessed via COMFORTneo scale) and vital signs. A maximum of ten live music therapy sessions were delivered three to four times a week until hospital discharge to 50 stable infants. Pre-, during- and post-therapy heart rates, respiratory rates, oxygen saturations and COMFORTneo scores were recorded for each session. A total of 486 sessions was performed with 243 sessions using HTC and CPC each. The mean gestational age was 33 + 3 weeks, with 27 (54%) infants being male. We observed lower COMFORTneo scores, heart and respiratory rates and higher oxygen saturation during and after live performed music therapy independent of the kind of physical contact than before therapy. While pre-therapy values were better in the CPC group for all four variables, a higher mean response on COMFORTneo scale and vital signs was observed for HTC (COMFORTneo score −5.5, heart rate −12.4 beats per min., respiratory rate −8.9 breaths per min, oxygen saturation + 1.5%) compared to CPC (COMFORTneo score −4.6, heart rate −9.6 beats per min., respiratory rate −7.0 breaths per min, oxygen saturation + 1.1%). Nonetheless, post-therapy values were better for all four measures in the CPC group. Regression modeling with correction for individual responses within each patient also yielded attenuated effects of MT in the CPC group compared to HTC, likely caused by the improved pre-therapy values. Live performed music therapy benefits preterm infants’ vital signs and behavioral state. During CPC with a parent, the absolute therapeutic effect is attenuated but resulting post-therapy values are nonetheless better for both the COMFORTneo scale and vital signs

Music Therapy in Preterm Infants Reduces Maternal Distress

Preterm delivery is a stressful event for mothers, posing them at risk for post-traumatic stress reactions. This study examined the degree of depressive symptoms and post-traumatic stress in mothers of preterm infants born before 32 gestational weeks depending on whether the infant received music therapy in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or not. We included 33 mothers of preterm infants enrolled in a previously described prospective randomized controlled trial, of whom 18 received music therapy (mean mothers’ age 34.1 ± 4.6 years) and 15 did not (mean mothers’ age 29.6 ± 4.2). The degree of depressive symptoms, anxiety and acute stress reactions of these mothers were measured by using the German version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) one week after birth (T1) and at infants’ hospital discharge (T2). 605 music therapy sessions with a mean duration of 24.2 ± 8.6 min (range 10 to 50 min) were conducted two times a week from the second week of life (T1) until discharge (T2) to the infants from the intervention group. The infants from the control group received standard medical care without music therapy. The mean total CES-D score decreased from T1 (mean 34.7, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 31.1–38.1) until T2 in all mothers (mean 16.3, 95% CI 12.6–20.1). Mothers whose infants received music therapy showed stronger declines of depressive and stress symptoms (with music therapy: CES-D mean difference of total score 25.7, 95% CI 20.0–31.3, IES-R mean difference of total score 1.7, 95% CI 0.9–2.5, IES-R mean difference of subcategory hyperarousal 10.2, 95% CI 6.2–14.3; without music therapy: CES-D mean difference of total score 9.5, 95% CI 3.8–15.3, IES-R mean difference of total score 0.1, 95% CI −1.0–1.2, IES-R mean difference of subcategory hyperarousal 1.6, 95% CI −4.7–7.9). Effect sizes were strong for CES-D, IES-R, and the hyperarousal subcategory, moderate for intrusion, and low for avoidance. These findings show that mothers of preterm infants are highly susceptible to supportive non-medical interventions such as music therapy to reduce psychological symptoms and distress during their infants’ NICU stay

Music Therapy as a Topic in Medical Education: Course Concept and Student Evaluation of an Elective Course for Medical Students

OBJECTIVES Music therapy has been proven as a safe and well-established intervention in healthcare to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. While music therapy is already established in several settings to supplement medical care, there is a lack of integration in the field of medical education. METHODS We report on the implementation and evaluation of a teaching concept for a five-day-intensive-course on music therapy. The course was offered as an elective course for medical students at the University Duisburg-Essen. At the end of the course, students filled out a free text questionnaire to assess the students’ perception of the course, and additionally answered standardized questions by the structured EVALuna online evaluation tool of the University of Duisburg-Essen. RESULTS All students (N = 35) who participated in the music therapy course between September 2019 and March 2023 completed the questionnaires and N = 21 students filled out the EVALuna. Most students (89%) chose the course because of their interest in alternative and supportive therapy options to improve patients’ well-being. About 46% had previous musical experience and passion and fun with music and 37% of the students were interested in the interdisciplinary academic subject that combined music and medicine. EVALuna online evaluation reflected high satisfaction with the course. CONCLUSION Due to the well-proven effectiveness and evidence of music therapy as well as the positive perception of medical students, music therapy should be further established in medical care and medical education

Parents’ Perception of Family-Centered Music Therapy with Stable Preterm Infants

Premature birth places considerable demands on preterm infants and their families. Most of these infants are treated on a neonatal intensive care unit immediately after birth, leading to psychosocial stress for parents and making it more difficult to build a stable parent-child bond. We hypothesized that accompaniment with live music therapy by a music therapist supports the parents to get in contact with their child and to promote the parents’ wellbeing. Preterm infants born at less than 32 gestational weeks received creative music therapy twice a week until discharge. At the time of discharge, the parents were asked to complete a Likert-style questionnaire to evaluate the music therapy. Six items related to socio-demographic characteristics, 4 items to observations on the infant and 10 items to personal perception. Of 40 preterm infants receiving music therapy, 32 (80%) parents completed the questionnaires. Thirty (94%) of these parents were able to relax during the music therapy session. Relaxation in their infants was observed by 29 (91%) during and by 28 (88%) after music therapy. Parents perceived music therapy as a positive change and enrichment during their infant’s hospital stay. All parents were thankful for the music therapy they received. Music therapy supports the parents of preterm infants in the first time after birth until discharge from the hospital

sj-docx-1-mde-10.1177_23821205241234537 - Supplemental material for Music Therapy as a Topic in Medical Education: Course Concept and Student Evaluation of an Elective Course for Medical Students

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-mde-10.1177_23821205241234537 for Music Therapy as a Topic in Medical Education: Course Concept and Student Evaluation of an Elective Course for Medical Students by Susann Kobus, Ursula Felderhoff-Mueser, Elke Lainka, Joachim Fandrey and Sven Benson in Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development</p

Music Therapy Supports Children with Neurological Diseases during Physical Therapy Interventions

Recent research found evidence supporting music therapy for children with neurological diseases during their hospitalized neurological early rehabilitation to promote their development during physical therapy. We hypothesized that live music therapy might improve vital signs during a physical therapy session. Seventeen children received live music therapy during the physical therapy session twice a week. Two more physical therapy sessions per week were held without music therapy. Heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation were recorded from 15 min before to 15 min after the therapy sessions. Physical therapy interventions showed changes in heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation between, before and after the sessions with or without music therapy. Live music therapy was effective for the vital signs during the intervention. We observed significantly lower heart and respiratory rates and higher oxygen saturation during physical therapy intervention with live music therapy in general (mean differences &minus;8.0 beats per min; &minus;0.8 breaths per min and +0.6%). When physical therapy was applied without music therapy children&rsquo;s heart rates increased by 8.5 beats per min and respiratory rates increased by 1.0 breaths per min. Live music therapy leads to a decrease in heart and respiratory rates and an increase in oxygen saturation in children with neurological diseases during physical therapy with live music therapy. Music therapy supports the children in physical therapy interventions during their hospitalization

sj-docx-2-mde-10.1177_23821205241234537 - Supplemental material for Music Therapy as a Topic in Medical Education: Course Concept and Student Evaluation of an Elective Course for Medical Students

Supplemental material, sj-docx-2-mde-10.1177_23821205241234537 for Music Therapy as a Topic in Medical Education: Course Concept and Student Evaluation of an Elective Course for Medical Students by Susann Kobus, Ursula Felderhoff-Mueser, Elke Lainka, Joachim Fandrey and Sven Benson in Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development</p

Impact of Physical Contact on Preterm Infants&rsquo; Vital Sign Response to Live Music Therapy

Evidence that music therapy stabilises vital parameters in preterm infants is growing, but the optimal setting for therapy is still under investigation. Our study aimed to quantify the effect of physical contact during live music therapy in preterm infants born &lt; 32 weeks&rsquo; gestational age (GA) on post-therapy vital sign values. Live music therapy was delivered twice-weekly until discharge from hospital to 40 stable infants &lt; 32 weeks&rsquo; GA. Baseline and post-therapy heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and physical contact during each session were recorded. 159 sessions were performed with, and 444 sessions without, physical contact. Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses based on directed acyclic graphs were performed. The mean GA was 28.6 &plusmn; 2.6 weeks, and 26 (65%) infants were male. Mean absolute values for heart and respiratory rates lowered during music therapy regardless of physical contact. The mean post-therapy SaO2 was higher compared to baseline values regardless of physical contact (mean differences &minus;8.6 beats/min; &minus;13.3 breaths/min and +2.0%). There were no clinically relevant changes in vital sign responses between therapy sessions, with or without physical contact, or adjusted post-therapy values for any of the studied vital signs. Physical contact caused better baseline and post-therapy vital sign values but did not enhance the vital sign response to music therapy. Thus, the effect of music therapy on preterm infants&rsquo; vital signs is independent of physical contact and parents&rsquo; presence during music therapy in the neonatal intensive care unit