Pilot study of NICU music therapy for preterm infants and caregivers
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of NICU music therapy on preterm infants' clinical markers and caregiver wellbeing: a pilot study
IRAS ID
342135
Contact name
Rebecca Atkinson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 2 days
Research summary
Research Sumary:
Who carried out the research?
This study was carried out by researchers from Anglia Ruskin University in collaboration with Whittington Health NHS Trust and Chiltern Music Therapy. Anglia Ruskin University sponsored the study, and qualified neonatal music therapists from Chiltern Music Therapy delivered the intervention. The researchers declared no competing interests. Funding details will be reported in the final publication.
What public involvement was there in the study?
A Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) group, including neonatal clinicians, music therapists, NICU staff and parents with lived experience of neonatal care, met twice during the project. The first meeting reviewed the study design, participant information and procedures, while the second reviewed the initial findings and their relevance to practice. Their feedback helped ensure the research remained family-centred, practical and relevant.
Where and when did the study take place?
The study took place in the NICU, HDU and SCBU at Whittington Health NHS Trust, London, during a six-week period in 2025.
Why was the research needed?
Premature babies in NICUs experience stressful medical environments that can affect both infants and families. International research suggests music therapy may improve infant wellbeing and support parents, but there is little UK evidence showing whether it can be successfully delivered within NHS neonatal services.
What were the main questions studied?
The researchers wanted to find out whether music therapy could improve babies' health during and after sessions, support feeding and growth, improve parent–infant bonding and parental wellbeing, how music therapy was delivered in NICU, and whether families and staff found it acceptable and practical.
Who participated in the study?
Seven premature infants were recruited. Six received music therapy and were included in the analysis. Six caregivers (five mothers and one father) completed questionnaires, and eight NICU staff completed evaluation questionnaires.
What treatments or interventions did participants receive?
Infants received up to two personalised music therapy sessions each week. Sessions included live infant-directed singing, singing during skin-to-skin care, developmental music therapy techniques and emotional support for caregivers. Thirteen sessions were delivered.
What medical problems (adverse reactions) did participants have?
No adverse events related to music therapy were reported. Staff observed no negative effects, although careful monitoring remained important because very premature infants may be vulnerable to overstimulation.
What happened during the study?
Researchers recorded babies' heart rate and oxygen levels before, during (at every minute) and after music therapy, together with information on weight gain and length of hospital stay. Parents completed questionnaires on bonding, anxiety and stress before and after the intervention, while parents and staff also provided feedback on their experiences.
What were the results of the study?
Music therapy was successfully delivered within a busy NHS neonatal unit and was well accepted by both families and staff. All staff said they would recommend the service. Families and staff reported that music therapy appeared to calm babies, strengthen parent–infant bonding, provide emotional support and create a more positive ward environment.
Questionnaires completed by five parents suggested improvements in parent–infant bonding for four families following music therapy. Although the study was too small to confirm these findings statistically, the overall pattern suggests music therapy may strengthen early bonding. Results for parental anxiety and stress were mixed, with no clear overall changes.
Analysis of infant clinical outcomes, including heart rate, oxygen levels, feeding, growth and discharge information, is still underway. These findings will be reported in a peer-reviewed publication by the end of 2026.
How has this study helped patients and researchers?
This study provides some of the first UK evidence that neonatal music therapy can be delivered successfully within NHS neonatal care. It demonstrates that the intervention is feasible, valued by families and staff, and identifies practical issues for delivering the service. This evidence will help researchers design larger studies and support decisions about whether music therapy should become part of routine family-centred neonatal care.
Details of any further research planned
Further analysis is continuing. The researchers plan larger multi-centre studies to investigate whether music therapy improves infant health, parent wellbeing and healthcare outcomes, including cost-effectiveness.
Where can I learn more about this study?
The final results will be presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. Further information will be available from the research team at Anglia Ruskin University once all analyses have been completed
This study will provide initial evidence for the use of music therapy in UK Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). In other countries, such as the US and the Netherlands, music therapy is routinely provided in the NICU and research has demonstrated benefits for the both the child and their caregivers. As there is no existing UK-based research on music therapy in the NICU, medical institutions are reluctant to consider the benefits of music therapy. This reduces infants' access to non-invasive treatment in the NICU. Our study aims to address this gap.
NICU care is lifesaving for the infant, but places them in a high stress medical environment. There are also limited opportunities for interaction between the infant and their caregivers, which can negatively affect the infant's development. Music therapy has the potential to make this environment less hostile and stressful for the infant, while also creating opportunities for infant and caregiver interaction.
In this study, we want to measure the effects of a music therapy service that is already ongoing in one NICU site, the local neonatal unit at Whittington Hospital. Over a period of six weeks, we will invite patients admitted onto the ward to participate in our study. We are hoping to involve up to six infants and their caregivers in the research. As our research will take place alongside an existing service, patients will be offered music therapy regardless of whether they choose to participate in this study. This study is funded by Anglia Ruskin University.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SW/0143
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion