The Effect of Turkish Music on Maternal Anxiety and Breastfeeding Success in the Postpartum Period: A Randomized Controlled Experimental Study

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Turkish music on maternal anxiety and breastfeeding success in the postpartum period. Methods: The study was carried out between January and June 2023 at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a research and training hospital in Istanbul. Mothers were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=34) and the control group (n=34). Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the LATCH Breastfeeding assessment Scale. The experimental group listened to 30 minutes of 'Neva' makam, a mode from Turkish classical music, for 4 consecutive days, with 15 minutes before breastfeeding and 15 minutes during breastfeeding, twice a day. The control group received routine care without music. Results: There were no significant differences in the pre-test anxiety and breastfeeding success scores between the experimental and control groups (p>.05). The post-test state anxiety scores in the experimental group were significantly lower compared to the control group (p