Therapeutic Effects of Music Therapy on Preterm Neonates – Pilot Study Report

Mrs. T. Sasikala¹, Dr. Mrs. S. Kamala²

¹Lecturer, Rani Meyyammai College of Nursing, Annamalai University, Chidambaram,

Tamilnadu, India

²Professor in Nursing, Rani Meyammai College of Nursing, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu, India

*Corresponding Author Email: sukh.jaura@yahoo.in

ABSTRACT:

The pre-term babies are more fragile to adopt extra uterine life. They struggle to maintain the temperature, oxygen saturation, heart and respiratory rates in normal range. Advances in neonatal care have increased the chance of survival of preterm babies. Therefore, many premature infants require care at a neonatal unit, for weeks or sometimes months, with specialized medical and nursing staff and equipment that can deal with problems faced by premature. Developmental care refers to a range of strategies designed to reduce the stress of NICU. These include reducing noise and light, minimal handling and giving longer rest periods. The sample consists of 60 preterm babies, between 1500gms to 2500gms admitted in NICU, 30 in each in experimental and control group. The intervention group received 30minutes of music therapy two times a day for 7 consecutive days. Physiological parameter was recorded before and after the intervention by using observational chart I and II. Results-There was a significant difference in the physiological parameter between the control and experimental group after music therapy. Music therapy is a beneficial nursing intervention that promotes the health of the premature babies.

KEYWORDS: Music Therapy, Preterm Neonates

INTRODUCTION:

Music has been suspected of having therapeutic properties for thousands of years. Ancient reports of music therapy can be found in writings from major civilizations including Egypt, China, India, Greek and Rome. The first scientific reports of music therapy in clinical setting data back to world wars I and II when music was used to relieve pain and agitation in soldiers with traumatic war injuries.

At the present time, the therapeutic effects of music have already been investigated in a variety of clinical scenarios and health care settings. The recent increase in clinical music therapy research has allowed for higher levels of data analysis to take place, such as systematic reviews and meta analyses that have generated stronger evidence in support of music therapy. The hospital care of premature and low-birth infants requires expensive technology and experienced care. Many studies have looked at the institution of developmental care in the NICU. Significant increases in oxygen saturation as well as decreased levels of agitation and heart rate were found with use of music. Other studies have shown a doubled daily weight gain when premature babies in the NICU were exposed to music therapy. The aim of the pilot study is to explore the therapeutic effects of music therapy on selected physiological parameter (Heart rate, Respiratory rate, O₂ saturation and weight), among preterm babies admitted in Referral Newborn Unit of RMMCH at Chidambaram.

OBJECTIVES:

· Assess the physiological parameter (weight, O₂ saturation, heart rate and respiratory rate) among preterm babies of control and Intervention group.

· Compare the Physiological parameter among preterm babies of Intervention and Control groups after the intervention.

· To correlate the Physiological parameter of control and Intervention group babies with clinical variables.

The conceptual frame work adopted for the study as based on modified Roy’s adaptation model.

METHODS:

The experimental research approach with pretest and posttest control group design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted in NICU, RMMCH at Chidambaram. The sample comprised of 60 preterm babies, 30 in each experimental and control group, purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample and samples were assigned the preterm babies born before the 37 weeks of gestitation weighing 1500-2500gms admitted in the NICU of RMMCH. Data collection was done from march to april 2014. The music therapy was the independent variables in the present study, Recorded music in the form of Indian classical Karnatic and instrumental was administered with the help of audio tape played for one hour and 30 minutes twice (morning and evening) a day for 7 consecutive days The dependent variables were assessment of physiological parameters and Behavioral parameters and clinical profiles such as gestational age, sex, mode of delivery, Apgar score, birth weight, O₂ administration, and the diagnosis of preterm babies. The tools used for gathering necessary data were structured interview schedule for clinical profiles, observation at chart I (pretest) and II (posttest) for physiological factors. Content validity of the tool was established by eleven experts. Cronbach’s Alpha and inter-observer reliability methods were used to establish the reliability of the tools. The collected data were analyzed by using both descriptive and inferential statistics in terms of frequencies. Percentage, mean, median, standard deviation ‘t’ value and chi-square value.

Comparison of Mean Difference of Selected Physiological Factor Between the Group After the Music Therapy

The Table; Reveals that the mean difference of weight loss in the control group (0.19). was significant different from experimental group (0.05) the mean difference of oxygen saturation level in the control group (0.21) was significantly different from experimental group (11.28) the mean difference of heart rate in the control group (16.59) was significantly difference from experimental group (8.35), and the mean difference of respiratory rate in the control group (0.86) was significantly different from the experimental group (9.13) after music therapy.

Findings:

The important findings of the study were significant difference in the post-test observation in the experimental group of preterm babies. Whereas there was no significant difference in the post-test observation in the control group of preterm babies. There was a significant difference in the physiological parameter between the control and experimental group after music therapy (P<0.05).

Table 1 Comparison of Mean Difference of Selected Physiological Factor Between the Group After the Music Therapy

S. no	Physiological Factors	Control (n=30)		Experimental (n=30)		Test	‘p’ value
		Mean	Sd	Mean	Sd
1	Weight	0.19	0.05	0.05	0.05	10.29	0.001
2	Oxygen Saturation Level	0.21	3.88	11.28	6.55	7.83	0.001
3	Heart Rate	16.59	12.18	8.35	18.59	2.01	0.05
4	Respiratory Rate	0.86	7.50	9.13	9.22	3.75	0.001

(p<0.05)

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

The finding of the study revealed that music therapy can made a difference in preterm babies to minimize the weight loss by avoiding unnecessary loss of energy like crying. Music therapy maintains oxygen saturation levels at the highest, which helps to maintain temperature of the babies. Indirectly it minimizes the weight loss by regulating the body temperature and by reducing the metabolic activity. Music therapy stabilizes the heart rate respiratory rate level. It enhances early discharge of the babies.

CONCLUSION:

Music therapy is a beneficial nursing intervention that promotes the premature babies health outcomes. Nurses have a vital role in caring preterm babies in NICU. They are in a position to adopt non pharmacological methods along with regular treatment of babies in NICU. This enhances in maintaining physiological factors in a normal range. Based on the study findings the recommendations for future researches were also made.

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Received on 06.09.2015 Modified on 21.09.2015

Int. J. Nur. Edu. and Research 4(1): Jan.-Mar., 2016; Page 42-44

DOI: 10.5958/2454-2660.2016.00007.7