Reflections from a feasibility study on maternal live singing to preterm infants in the neonatal unit

Research has shown that live singing (LS) can support the preterm infant's development and parents’ wellbeing. Reported physiological effects of singing for preterm infants include reduced respiratory rate and heart rate1, 2, increased oxygen saturation rate1, 2 , improved sucking rate2 , and increased weight gain2, 3 .Parents’ perceived stress and anxiety levels reduced in response to LS2 , and a decrease in state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) scores in response to maternal singing to preterm infants has been reported4 . To foster similar maternal LS research in Ireland, a feasibility study was carried out as part of a music therapy (MT) project in partnership between the University of Limerick and the regional NICU at the University Maternity Hospital Limerick (UMHL). Ethical approval was granted by the University of Limerick Hospital Group’s Research Ethics Committee (No: 144/19) in November 2019.