| Summary: | Background. Preterm birth is associated with an increased prevalence of major and minor neurodevelopmental disability. Infants born before 37 weeks of gestational age are considered preterm infants, and very preterm infants are those who are born before 32 weeks’ gestational age. Infants born preterm may have a lower threshold for sensory input than full term born peers and have difficulty in tolerating handling and interaction. These problems could diminish critical experiences in their early lives.
Objectives. To determine the effect of Music Therapy and
Developmental Program on Preterm infants in Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit.
Methods. Forty participants were found eligible for the study as per inclusion and exclusion criteria and they were selected by simple random sampling. They were divided into two groups. Group A was a controlled group and Group B was an experimental group. There were 2 drop outs in each group because of early discharge, thus each group had 18 participants. All infants motor performance was assessed on the first and last day of intervention using TIMPS and INFANIB. Intervention was given for 3 weeks and for 30 minutes 3 times per week. Group A was given developmental program and Group B was given developmental program and music therapy.
Results. Statistical analysis was done using GraphPad InStat 3.06. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The data analysis shows that there was marked difference in the score of INFANIB and TIMPS score which shows that music therapy and developmental program is effective in the 18 participants of the study.
Discussions. There was marked improvement in the activity and alertness of the infant. There were changes in French angle components of INFANIB including heel to hear and popliteal angle. Conclusion. Music therapy can be used to improve the neuromotor development of the preterm infants. Thus, these strategies can be applied on a regular basis for helping such preterm infants to improve their alertness and to improve their neuromotor development.
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