Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39313555›Full record

Trial reportPediatric research2025

Impact of daily music on comfort scores in preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial.

Merel van der Straaten, Agnes van den Hoogen, Maria-Luisa Tataranno, Catelijn J M van Berkel, Lisa Schmit, Hans Jeekel, Annelies Hennink, Manon Benders, Jeroen Dudink

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Pediatric research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Science for kids: a melody that mends.Pediatric research · 2026
    Article
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Merel van der StraatenDepartment of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Agnes van den HoogenDepartment of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Maria-Luisa TatarannoDepartment of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Catelijn J M van BerkelDepartment of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Lisa SchmitDepartment of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Hans JeekelDepartment of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Annelies HenninkDepartment of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Manon BendersDepartment of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Jeroen DudinkDepartment of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.dudink@umcutrecht.nl.ORCID 0000-0003-0446-3646

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPremature birth heightens neurodevelopmental risks, theorized to partly stem from altered sensory inputs and disrupted sleep patterns. Modifying the acoustic milieu through music intervention (MI) offers promise to improve neonatal comfort, reduce sleep disturbances, and stabilize physiological parameters. This study explores the impact of non-pharmacological MI on these health indicators within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

methodsA single-blinded RCT was conducted. Premature infants (34 > GA > 29 wks) were randomly assigned to either receive 8 min of daily MI or placebo for up to 15 days. Validated behavioral comfort scores were visually obtained by a blinded observer before and after intervention. Additionally, physiological signs (HR, RR, SatO2) were recorded. Differences between the groups were analyzed using χ² tests and t-tests.

resultsIn total 56 preterm infants were included. After intervention, comfort levels increased significantly in the MI compared to placebo group (p = 0.000). Neonates receiving MI transitioned from wakefulness to a state of sleep significantly more compared to placebo (p = 0.002). Physiological parameters remained stable.

conclusionsThis study adds to existing literature demonstrating that a music intervention in a NICU setting can enhance comfort and sleep of premature infants without adversely affecting physiological parameters. IMPACT: The study demonstrates that music interventions (MI) in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) setting can significantly increase comfort levels and positively impact the sleep of premature infants without negatively impacting their physiological parameters. This research increases evidence for non-pharmacological interventions, specifically music, as beneficial for the well-being of premature infants in NICU settings. It replicates and expands upon previous methodological designs, providing more robust evidence of MI's positive effects on this vulnerable population. The positive outcomes of music intervention could influence hospital policies by integrating non-pharmacological practices into standard neonatal care protocols to enhance developmental support for premature infants.

Indexed as

Infant, PrematureMusicMusic TherapyFemaleGestational AgeHumansInfant, NewbornIntensive Care Units, NeonatalMaleSingle-Blind MethodSleep

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.