Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
This study examines the effects of 6 different music therapy interventions on outcomes for neonates diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.
The purpose of this exploratory pilot study is to learn what, if any, effects live music therapy interventions have on the pacification, stabilization, and development of infants diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome is a group of problems that occur in a newborn who has been exposed to illegal or prescription opiates while in the mother's womb. Participants will receive 6 music therapy sessions over a 14-day period based on a randomized treatment schedule of 6 different interventions.
Inclusion Criteria: Infants who meet the following inclusion criteria will be eligible to participate in the study irrespective of race, religion, ethnicity, or gender: * Admitted to the NICU immediately postpartum * Gestational age 28 weeks or older * No identified hearing disorder * Do not have a diagnosed developmental disability (i.e. Down Syndrome) * Do not have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome * Medically cleared to participate in the study by nurse or neonatologist * Parent or legal guardian able/willing to give consent \& complete the PBQ (Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire) Exclusion Criteria:…
Music therapists will assess meaningful song/theme (of choice/culture) and provide musical elements in a way that nurtures parents. They will then develop a simplified part of the theme into a soothing lullaby for their infants to be utilized directly by the parent/s and/or the music therapist to comfort, engage or sedate.
Depending on the time of intervention and need of the infant the music therapist will provide rhythmic entrainment that follows the heart rate or suck patterns of the infant
Depending on the time of intervention and needs of the infant the music therapist will provide a whoosh sound using the Remo Ocean disc. It will be entrained to the infant's respiratory rate.
Depending on the state of the infant, the music therapist will provide short segments of conversant prosody, to enhance quiet-alert, or stimulate relaxation/sleep
Music therapist will provide a vowel, long held tone, sung without vibrato
If infant is awake, the muted shaker will be used to entrain to the infant's vital signs-to comfort, soothe or sedate