Premium
A randomised controlled trial of protocolised music therapy demonstrates developmental milestone acquisition in hospitalised infants
Author(s) -
Emery Lelia,
Hamm Ellyn L.,
Hague Kaleigh,
Chorna Olena D.,
MooreClingenpeel Melissa,
Maitre Nathalie L.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.14628
Subject(s) - medicine , milestone , music therapy , developmental milestone , randomized controlled trial , pediatrics , physical therapy , surgery , cartography , geography
Abstract Aim To compare the effectiveness of an intensive‐intermittent vs. standard spaced protocolised music therapy intervention on supporting developmental milestone acquisition of infants >44 weeks postmenstrual age ( PMA ) hospitalised in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ( NICU ). Method This was a comparative effectiveness study of infants 44–66 weeks PMA with a projected NICU stay of at least one month from recruitment. Infants were randomised to one of two treatment groups: traditional therapy (2x/week) and intermittent‐intensive (4x/week, off, 4x/week, off). Both groups received the same number of sessions over a 4‐week period. Sessions at the start and end of the treatment period were video recorded. Two masked researchers reviewed and coded videos. Milestones used for video recording were adapted from the Developmental Assessment of Young Children. Results Twenty‐four infants participated, with groups matched for birth age, PMA at start of study, race, IVH severity, and respiratory support. Total and motor composite scores were higher post‐intervention (Cohen's d = 0.71 and 0.97, both p < 0.01), with the same degree of skill acquisition found for both intervention groups. Conclusion A developmental music therapy protocol supports developmental skills acquisition of post‐term infants in a NICU . Similar outcomes for both groups provide therapists with varying treatment dosing options to best support their patients.