The effects of mother’s voice and white noise on APGAR scores of newborns and attachment processes – a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction and aim. The present study aims to determine the effects of mother’s voice and white noise on newborns’ APGAR scores and attachment processes. Material and methods. The current study was a randomized controlled trial and concluded with 87 newborns and their mothers who had given elective cesarean section (mother voice=29; white noise=28; and control group=30). The mother voice and white noise groups were exposed to recordings, and the broadcast continued for five minutes. The APGAR scores and attachment indicators of newborns (eye contact, rooting, and latch-on) of all groups were examined by the Newborn Attachment Indicators Observation Form. Results. The 1st and 5th minute APGAR scores in control group were lower than mother voice (1st p=0.05; 5th p=0.001) and white noise (1st p=0.015; 5th p=0.002) groups. The rooting ratio was higher in mother voice and white noise than in the control group (p=0.004). The newborns in the control group had lower latching on rates than mother voice and white noise (p=0.002) groups. Both mother voice and white noise positively affected APGAR scores, rooting, and latching. However, only mother voice had a positive effect on all attachment indicators. Conclusion. Mother voice and white noise listened to by the newborns born with a cesarean section right after birth in their early-period care positively affect APGAR scores; furthermore, mother voice positively affects attachment indicators as first successful sucking time and eye-to-eye contact.