The Effect of Maternal Presence on Premature Infant Response to Recorded Music

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of maternal presence on the physiological and behavioral status of the preterm infant when exposed to recorded music versus ambient sound. DesignRepeated-measures randomized controlled trial. SettingSpecial care nursery (SCN) in a tertiary perinatal center. ParticipantsClinically stable preterm infants (22) born at>28weeks gestation and enrolled at>32weeks gestation and their mothers. MethodsInfants were exposed to lullaby music (6minutes of ambient sound alternating with 2x 6minutes recorded lullaby music) at a volume within the recommended sound level for the SCN. The mothers in the experimental group were present for the first 12minutes (baseline and first music period) whereas the mothers in the control group were absent overall. ResultsThere was no discernible infant response to music and therefore no significant impact of maternal presence on infant's response to music over time. However during the mothers' presence (first 12minutes), the infants exhibited significantly higher oxygen saturation than during their absence p=.024) and less time spent in quiet sleep after their departure, though this was not significant. ConclusionInfants may have been unable to detect the music against the ambient soundscape. Regardless of exposure to music, the infants' physiological and behavioral regulation were affected by the presence and departure of the mothers.