Objective: Explore a music therapy (MT) intervention to support infant recovery post retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) exam.
Study design: Prospective, double-masked, randomized, parallel group study of 100 preterm infants exposed to MT (recorded maternal singing/heartbeat) or standard care (SC). Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) measured at: baseline, during the exam, and 1 and 5 min post exam.
Results: Recovery PIPP scores were less with MT vs. SC, but statistical significance not achieved (Mean ± sd: MT 1 min [5.81 ± 2.93] and 5 min [3.91 ± 1.73] vs. SC 1 min [6.40 ± 2.78] and 5 min [4.76 ± 2.07], p = 0.07). Recovery PIPP sores were significantly higher with SC compared to MT when eye exams were longer (p = 0.049) or when exams were more painful (p = 0.04).
Conclusion: Recorded maternal singing and heartbeat can support recovery post ROP exam. For longer/more painful ROP exams, MT may be more effective than SC promoting recovery post exam.