Pilot study finds that performing live music therapy in intensive care units may be beneficial for infants' neurodevelopment.

Abstract

Infants experience multiple stressors in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which may have adverse effects on brain development. Non-invasive interventions that reduce stress may improve neurodevelopmental functioning.1 This pilot study assessed whether live music therapy, performed by a certified neonatal music therapist,2 had beneficial effects on neurodevelopment.