The effectiveness of music therapy on feeding and weight gain in premature infants in the NICU : a systematic review

Abstract

Infants born prematurely are underdeveloped in certain physiological aspects, including the gastrointestinal system. Oral feeding and sufficient weight gain are encouraged in the NICU environment and interventions are put in place to assist the infant in this regard. However, not all preterm infants can tolerate oral feeding due to their immature organs. Research in music therapy has developed interventions to assist the infant in obtaining full oral feeds and optimal weight gain. Conversely, these techniques have shown varied outcomes. A systematic literature search was carried out across multiple databases and ten studies met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the review. Findings from the ten studies suggest that music therapy, both as a live and receptive modality, proved beneficial to the feeding and weight gain aspects of a developing premature infant. The analysis included i) types of interventions used; ii) music therapist vs parental application; iii) factors for consideration for application of music therapy intervention; iv) transition to oral feeding; v) self-regulation; vi) physiological development of the sucking-swallowing-breath skill; and vii) the impact of music therapy on weight gain. Recommendations for further research of music therapy interventions for feeding and weight gain with premature infants are suggested. Specifically pertaining to the extension of qualitative research in the NICU and the application of music interventions by healthcare professionals other than music therapists to assist premature infants in oral feeding and weight gain.