Date of Award
Spring 5-17-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Expressive Therapies
Major
Expressive Therapies
First Advisor
Basel Zayed
Abstract
For both babies and their families, premature birth is a life-altering event that often brings out a complicated web of physiological and emotional challenges. In recent decades, music therapy has gained recognition as a support system for the smallest and most vulnerable patients in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), where they receive specialized care. This literature review explores how music therapy supports the development and emotional well-being of premature infants while also supporting the parents in navigating the emotional difficulties, engaging with their babies, and being more secure in the NICU environment. According to current research, this paper collects and analyzes various developmentally appropriate music therapy techniques, including receptive, improvisational, and re-creative approaches. The techniques also highlight tools such as the Pacifier-Activated-Lullaby (PAL), breathing entrainment, and parent-infant bonding through culturally appropriate songs.
The paper begins by providing an overview of fetal development throughout gestational stages, including key milestones in neurocognitive, auditory, and language systems. The timing and personalization of music therapy interventions can meet the special requirements of premature newborns based on the developmental foundation. Evidence shows that music therapy can support stabilize vital signs, improve feeding and sucking behaviors, reduce hospital stays, etc. The literature review also addresses some practical and cultural challenges that music therapists or the medical staff may face in a culturally diverse and emotionally heavy setting. By presenting the writer’s perspective on a scientific analysis of music therapy in NICUs, this review discusses further exploration into how music therapy can support more development in the long term, and the need to effectively adapt music interventions to reflect and honor each family’s culture, spirit, and music traditions.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
LI, YU-TZU, "Music Therapy for Premature Infants in Neonatal Care: A Literature Review" (2025). Expressive Therapies Theses. 82.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_therapies_theses/82