Potential Psychological and Biological Mechanisms Underlying the Effectiveness of Neonatal Music Therapy during Kangaroo Mother Care for Preterm Infants and Their Parents

Łucja Bieleninik, Mark Ettenberger, Shulamit Epstein, Cochavit Elefant and Shmuel Arnon
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Łucja Bieleninik: Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland
Mark Ettenberger: Music Therapy Service, University Hospital Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá 110111, Colombia
Shulamit Epstein: School for Creative Arts Therapies, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
Cochavit Elefant: School for Creative Arts Therapies, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
Shmuel Arnon: Department of Neonatology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba 44281, Israel

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-12

Abstract: Neonatal music therapy (MT) has become more accessible worldwide. Previous research suggests multiple benefits of MT for preterm infants and their caregivers; however, far too little attention has been paid to understanding the mechanisms of change in previous Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)-MT research so far. This perspective article describes potential mechanisms of MT interventions exposed during kangaroo mother care on the preterm infant’s response (behavioral and physiological outcomes) and the mother-infant relationship. The paper focuses on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis’ role in stabilization of behavioral state, the autonomic nervous system’s role in stabilization of physiologic state, as well as co-regulation as a potential mechanism for the developing of the parent-infant relationship. Mechanisms play a pivotal role in understanding variables related to the therapy course and well as in generating new knowledge regarding treatment susceptibility and optimizing resources. Understanding of the mechanisms of how interventions may lead to specific outcomes plays an important role in addressing the issue of improvement of currently available approaches of MT used in the NICU.

Keywords: music therapy; MT; kangaroo care; NICU; premature infants; mechanism; pituitary–adrenal axis; autonomic nervous system; bonding (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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