Efficacy of Co-Treatment with Occupational Therapy and Music Therapy in the NICU

Research Objectives: (1) To investigate the association of music therapy with the physiologic and behavioral states of critically ill infants during co-treatment with occupational therapy
(2) To investigate if co-treatment associated with the infant’s return to homeostasis after therapies are over

Design: This study was a quasi-experimental study design.

Setting: The NICU at this large, free-standing children's hospital is a 173-bed, level II-IV unit. Sessions were conducted in both the open pod and private room settings depending on each participant’s assigned bedspace.

Participants: A total of 46 participants were enrolled in the study, consisting of 22 male and 24 female neonates with an average GA of 32.2 weeks. Inclusion criteria were active orders for occupational therapy and music therapy. Exclusion criteria were anticipated hospitalization of less than 2 weeks and abnormalities on newborn or diagnostic hearing screens.

Interventions: Participants were intended to receive 4 standard care occupational therapy (SCOT) sessions and 4 co-treatment sessions with occupational therapy and music therapy (Co-Tx). Each treatment type was implemented in approximately 20 minute long sessions. SCOT sessions were focused on sensory and auditory interventions by implementing relaxation techniques for infants presenting with agitation. Co-Tx sessions were introducing positive stimulation through receptive music listening, while others utilized active music interventions for developmental milestone attainment.

Main Outcome Measures: Physiologic measures, HR and SpO2, were collected retroactively using Sickbay. Behavioral measures were collected using The FLACC Pain Assessment Tool.

Results: Session SpO2 percentages were significantly higher during Co-Tx. When considering the total 351 study sessions, SCOT sessions were significantly more likely to have a “relaxed and comfortable” Initial State (odds ratio = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.07 – 1.27, p=0.022).

Conclusions: This research suggests that rehabilitative co-treatment with music therapy may create a more stable and regulated environment for infants. It is recommended that further research be conducted to better understand the effectiveness of co-treatment.

Author(s) Disclosures: The authors of this research have no conflicts of interest or disclosures to make.