Music Therapy with Preterm Infants During Kangaroo Care: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study on Physiological and Electroencephalographic Parameters and Parental Perspectives

Background: Music therapy in neonatal care is a rising interdisciplinary interest in clinical practice and research. Studies showed that music therapy benefits preterm infants and their parents. We aimed to explore the possible influence of music therapy on physiological parameters in premature infants during skin-to-skin care and to assess the parents' perspectives on music therapy and participation in the research project. Methods: The feasibility project was conducted in an Austrian neonatal intensive care unit with a mixed-methods design. The subjects were six preterm infants and their parents. We collected quantitative data on heart rate, oxygen saturation, and brain activity (EEG) and analyzed them descriptively. Qualitative interviews were conducted to explore the parents' perspectives on music therapy and study participation and analyzed by using grounded theory coding. Results: The results of the quantitative data indicated a stabilizing effect on the vital parameters in the included premature infants. EEGs showed interburst intervals were longer during music therapy than before its application. Parents reported a great interest in the research project, an experience of deep relaxation through music therapy, and an intensification of their relationship with their infants. Discussion/Conclusions: Our feasibility sample indicates positive changes in the vital parameters and brain activity tendencies. The parents reported positive experiences and observations in their infants related to music therapy, and they enjoyed participating in the research project. However, the small number of subjects means that our descriptions should be interpreted cautiously, and more extensive investigations into EEG measurements in preterm infants are needed.