Abstract
This paper aimed to describe and explain the expectations concerning the use of music in NICU from the viewpoints of parents, nurses and physicians. The relevant questionnaires were distributed to 836 participants who were recruited from the country’s five university hospitals (n = 508, response rate 61). Slightly over half of the participants preferred recorded music versus live music in the NICU. They strongly expected that their preferred music could be beneficial both for the infants, parents and staff. The parents agreed most that live music is the most suitable choice for infants (p < 0.001), and that the music could especially benefit the infant (p < 0.001) and parents (p < 0.001) compared with the nurses’ and physicians’ preferences. Some background details such as age, average length of time listening to music, musical training and experiences of using music provided significant explanations for the participants’ expectations. In conclusion, there were significant differences between the groups of the respondents concerning the type of the preferred music and its expected effects. This highlights the importance of discussion with the caregivers when taking music into regular use in the neonatal intensive care units.
Highlights
The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as an environment is a potential source of stress for infants
This paper aimed to describe and explain the expectations concerning the use of music in NICU from the viewpoints of parents, nurses and physicians
It appeared that respondents with musical training (p < 0.001, OR 2.11) and experiences of music in NICU (p < 0.001, OR 2.41) agreed more that music could have positive effects on the infants, while younger participants were more convinced about the benefits of music to parents (p = 0.002, OR 0.96)
Summary
The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as an environment is a potential source of stress for infants. The background details including age, average length of time listening to music, musical training and experiences of using music in NICU as shown in Table 1 explained significantly the participants’ expectations concerning the effects of their preferred music. Respondents who themselves listened to music a lot agreed more that their preferred music could benefit the infants (p = 0.035, OR 1.20) and staff (p < 0.001, OR 1.47). It appeared that respondents with musical training (p < 0.001, OR 2.11) and experiences of music in NICU (p < 0.001, OR 2.41) agreed more that music could have positive effects on the infants, while younger participants were more convinced about the benefits of music to parents (p = 0.002, OR 0.96)
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