Effect of music therapy on biophysical profile and oxygen consuption in preterm babies in a rural hospital.

Introduction: Music therapy in preterm babies helps in early weight gain, stabilization of heart and respiratory rates, and affect the biophysiological profile. It has a beneficial effect on oxygen consumption and hospital stay. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effect of music therapy on biophysical profile and oxygen requirement in preterm babies. Methodology: The present comparative, observational study was carried out in the department of neonatology, a rural tertiary care hospital, Sawangi Meghe, Wardha, Maharashtra, India, for one year. All the relevant data was collected and analyzed using the prevalidated Performa. Results and observations: The male-to-female ratio both music and non-music group was 1.5 :1. The ratio of normal delivery to caesarean section was 1.2:1. The mean GA (weeks) in two groups was 31+4 and 32+5. The common aetiology in the two groups was RDS requiring CPAP. The mean birth weight in both group was 1240+112 and 1285+124 grams, respectively. The heart rate in music therapy group was 140 ± 14 vs 122 ± 8 beats/minute before and after intervention respectively. The number of days requiring oxygen was lower in music therapy group (8 vs 12). We didn’t find any significant variations in desaturation episodes, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure and temperature in the two groups. Conclusion: Music therapy benefit babies in the form of weight gain, stability, oxygen requirement and physiological profile rather than offering no music therapy in the NICU.