Efficacy of Live Lullaby Singing During Procedural Pain in Preterm and Term Neonates

• Background: Acute and repeated pain has long-term negative impact on infants’ development and future behaviour. The use of analgesic drugs has negative side-effects, which emphasizes the need for complementary approaches to pain management.Aim: This study is the first clinical trial measuring if live lullaby singing can influence behavioural and physiological pain responses during venepuncture in preterm and term neonates.Method: Preterm and term infants (n=38) were subjected to venepuncture with and without live lullaby singing, in a randomised order with a cross over design. Parent-preferred lullabies were performed live and standard care was provided for all neonates. Behavioural and physiological pain responses were assessed.Results: The live lullaby singing did not show a statistically significant effect on the infants’ pain score. There was a significantly calmer breathing pattern in the lullaby intervention versus the control condition in the pre-needle stage. There were non-significant indications of fewer and shorter skin punctures with lullaby singing.Conclusions: The additive effect of live lullaby singing has not been shown to alleviate infants’ behavioural pain responses during venepuncture; however nor has it been shown to be harmful. More research is needed to explore the potential benefits of music therapy including the role of the parents.

Ämnesord

HUMANIORA  -- Konst -- Musikvetenskap (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Arts -- Musicology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Pediatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Pediatrics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

newborn infant

preterm infant

pain

music therapy

lullaby

Musikvetenskap

Musicology

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