"While music has long been valued for its soothing effects, recent research provides clear evidence that Music therapy produces measurable physiological and health benefits in neonatal care. Far from being just "nice to have," Music therapy is emerging as an essential component of healing in the neonatal intensive care unit, where premature and medically fragile infants face significant developmental challenges.By influencing vital functions such as heart rate, respiration, and stress regulation, such therapy is helping clinicians support infants' growth"
"As new studies shed light on how sound shapes early development, the role of music in medicine is rapidly transforming from comfort to clinical care. What does music therapy in the NICU look like?Music therapy is an evidence-based clinical intervention delivered as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team. In neonatal settings, interventions may include interactive instrument-based songwriting, therapeutic singing or vocal performance paired with assisted relaxation, and the use of womb-like sounds."
An observational study by the Children's Music Fund measured physiological effects of music therapy on infants in Level 3 neonatal intensive care units. Interventions included interactive instrument-based songwriting, therapeutic singing or vocal performance paired with assisted relaxation, and womb-like sounds. Outcomes targeted vital functions including heart rate, respiration, and stress regulation to support growth of premature and medically fragile infants. The study examined single-session effects, cumulative benefits from multiple sessions, and optimal session duration. All interventions were delivered exclusively by board-certified, NICU-trained music therapists aligned with AMTA standards, and quantitative physiological assessment was used to evaluate changes.
Read at Psychology Today
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