The effectiveness of music on pain among preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit: a systematic review.

Abstract

Review question/objective The objective of this review is to synthesize the best available evidence related to the effectiveness of music as pain relieving method among preterm infants during painful procedures in the neonatal intensive care unit. Review questions are: Among preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit, is music effective in reducing - pain scores? - physiological pain indicators? - behavioural pain indicators? - hormonal pain indicators? Inclusion criteria Types of participants This review will consider studies that include preterm infants (i.e. born at or before 37 gestational weeks) in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) Types of intervention(s) This review will consider studies that evaluate any type of music (recorded or lived music), which is implemented for premature infants by a music therapist or any health care providers during painful procedures. Comparator No music intervention (the infant will receive the usual care based on the routine practices in the unit) Types of outcomes This review will consider studies that include the following outcome measures: level of pain measured by pain scores and/ or physiological (e.g. hearth rate, blood pressure, respiration, oxygen saturation), behavioural (e.g. cry, facial expression, movements, sleep-wake state) and hormonal (e.g. blood glucose, cortisol level, catecholamine acids) pain indicators.