The Role of Live Music and Singing as a Stress-Reducing Modality in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Environment

Authors

  • Eliana Gilad Msc
  • Shmuel Arnon MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47513/mmd.v2i1.233

Abstract

Among the developmentally supportive care modalities that have been tested in the treatment of preterm infants, music interventions have been tested quite intensively. This article reports on the environmental, cultural, and philosophical considerations of a research program that studied the effects of live music, wordless singing, and rhythm upon neonates in a Middle Eastern NICU hospital unit. The cultural setting and dynamics of the NICU created a unique challenge which involved the discovery of music as an intervention that effectively enhanced communication within a culturally divergent population. At the same time, music decreased stress and increased a sense of humanity in the intensive care unit setting.

Keywords

arts medicine, maternal singing, NICU music therapy, wordless singing, live healing music, frame drum

Author Biographies

Eliana Gilad, Msc

Eliana Gilad, master singing coach, is the founder of Voices of Eden (www.VoicesofEden.com), composer of ancient healing and transfor- mational music, author of two books, and producer of five CDs. She performs, consults, teaches, and presents at major conferences and events around the world.

Shmuel Arnon, MD

Shmuel Arnon, MD, is the deputy head of the neonatal unit at Meir Medical Center, Kfar-Saba, Israel, and a lyric tenor cantor performing in major synagogues and concert halls around the world.

Downloads

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2010)

Section

Full Length Articles