The effects of live singing on the biophysiological functions of preterm infants hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit in Greece: A pilot study

Authors

  • Lelouda Stamou Ph.D, Associate Professor, University of Macedonia, Dept. of Music Science and Art, Thessaloniki, Greece.
  • Faiy Evaggelou MΑ Music Therapist, ΜΑ Music, MA Music Performance
  • Vasileios Stamou Ph.D. Research Assistant, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK.
  • Elisavet Diamanti Professor, 1st Department of Neonatology & NICU, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokrateion General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
  • Joanne V. Loewy DA, LCAT, MT-BC, Director, The Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital, NYC

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47513/mmd.v12i2.703

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of live singing on the biophysiological functions, weight gain, head circumference, body length, and duration of hospitalization of preterm infants hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Greece. Forty-one preterm infants 25-33 + 6 days of PCA took part in the study. 14 infants were assigned to the Mother Singing group (MS) in which mothers sang to their infants for 15 minutes every day during the fourteen-day intervention, 13 to the Music Therapist Singing group (MTS) in which a music therapist sang to the infants for 15 minutes every day during the fourteen-day intervention, and 14 in the control group (CG) which did not receive any additional intervention. Infants of both MS and MTS presented statistically significant improvements in heart rate and blood oxygen saturation, compared to CG. No significant differences between groups were found in weight, head circumference, body length, and duration of hospitalization. The use of live singing by mothers or music therapists appears to elicit positive effects on vital biophysiological functions of premature infants. Further investigation of the role of live singing in NICU is warranted.

 

Author Biographies

Lelouda Stamou, Ph.D, Associate Professor, University of Macedonia, Dept. of Music Science and Art, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Lelouda Stamou, PhD, is Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece. She is also Director of the ‘Music & Society” Program of Graduate Studies with specializations in Music Education and Music Therapy, and director of the Baby Artist Early Childhood Music Program. 

Faiy Evaggelou, MΑ Music Therapist, ΜΑ Music, MA Music Performance

Faiy Evaggelou is a music teacher in public music schools in Greece, teaching the violin (MA Music, MA Performance Studies). She is also active Music Therapist (MA Music therapy), with specialization  in NICU hospitalized infants, trained in the Rhythm, Breath and Lullaby international training course (RBL Tier 1,2).

Vasileios Stamou, Ph.D. Research Assistant, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK.

Vasileios Stamou, PhD, is Research Assistant in the Faculty of Health Studies at the University of Bradford, UK. He was also an adjunct lecturer in the ‘Music & Society’ Program of Graduate Studies at the University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Elisavet Diamanti, Professor, 1st Department of Neonatology & NICU, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokrateion General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece

Elisavet Diamanti is Professor of Neonatology, 1st Department of Neonatology & NICU, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokrateion General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Joanne V. Loewy, DA, LCAT, MT-BC, Director, The Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital, NYC

Joanne Loewy, DA, LCAT, MT-BC is the Director of The Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital in NYC.

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Published

2020-04-24

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