The impact of the multimodal neurologic enhancement music therapy intervention on clinical outcomes: A randomized trial of preterm infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the impact of Multimodal Neurologic Enhancement (MNE), a music therapy intervention, on clinical outcomes of preterm infants (< 34 weeks; N = 106) and a subgroup of extremely preterm infants (< 28 weeks; n = 20).

METHOD: A randomized trial was utilized, where infants were randomized to receive MNE or standard of care and matched based on gestational age at birth, sex, and neurologic injury. Infants in the MNE group received eight, 20-minute MNE sessions, beginning at 32 weeks post menstrual age (PMA). Analysis included negative binomial and linear regression, adjusting for relative covariates.

PRINCIPAL

RESULTS

Across the full cohort and the extremely preterm subgroup, there were no significant differences in PMA at discharge, duration of oxygen therapy (days), PMA at transition off oxygen therapy, or transition to full oral feeding (days). Among the extremely preterm subgroup, MNE was associated with a significantly shorter length of stay (days) (IRR = 0.81, corresponding to β̂ = -0.21; 95% CI for IRR: 0.68, 0.98).

MAJOR

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that MNE may offer targeted benefits for extremely preterm infants. This study highlights the potential of MNE as a safe, feasible intervention to support clinical outcomes during Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission for preterm infants.