Effect of lullaby music listening on SPO2 in premature infants

Respiratory distress is one of the fundamental problems of preterm infants. Various studies have indicated that favourable auditory stimulation influences on saturation pressure oxygen (Spo2) amount through regulating respiratory rate and rhythm. Thus, this study was done to examine the effect of lullaby music on SPO2 in preterm infants in NICU. In this clinical-trial study 40 preterm infants that were hospitalized in the NICU wards of Imam-Reza and Qaem hospitals in Mashhad in 2005 were assessed. The infants were randomly assigned to either of two equal groups; the music group (case group) and control group. The infants in both groups were observed and assessed every day for forty minutes for a period of eight days. Percent of oxygen saturation was measured and recorded by means of a pulse oximeter. Then, the music group received 20 minutes of recorded Iranian traditional musical lullaby sung by a woman (db:65-75) per-day for 8 days but the control group received their everyday care with no music. The obtained data was analyzed by SPSS software (11.5), using Chi-square, paired t, independent t, and general linear tests to control intervening variables; and P≤0.05 was taken as the significant level. Results showed that mean change in oxygen saturation level increased in the music group significantly (P=0.001). Increased oxygen saturation level in this group remained stable after the music was off and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P=0.019). Lullaby song or music may be introduced into NICU as a more predictable and stable source of stimulation which masks intermittent and unpredictable sounds; because it decreases the amount of distress and interruption experienced by the infant. Keeping SPO2 at a high level with the least oxygen amount received is an important medical goal. Therefore, if an intervention plan can have a favourable effect on the quality and rate of respiration- and as a result on SPO2- it will be a great help to preterm infants.