The Impact of Music Medicine on Preterm Brain Development and Behavior

Launched by BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · Jul 30, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how music, with or without a parent's voice, affects the brain development and behavior of very preterm infants—those born between 24 and 30 weeks of pregnancy. Researchers want to see if listening to music can help reduce stress and improve brain function and language skills as the babies grow. The trial will compare two groups: one group will listen to music with their parent's voice, and the other will receive standard care without music. The goal is to find out if the infants who hear their parent's voice along with music have better outcomes by the time they reach two years old.

To participate, infants need to be very preterm and born within the specified gestational age range. They should also be medically stable, meaning they are healthy enough for this study. However, infants with serious health issues or significant brain injuries, as well as those with major genetic conditions that could affect development, will not be eligible. If you are a parent of a very preterm infant and are interested, the study will involve some questionnaires and regular assessments to track the infants' progress. This research could provide valuable insights into how music might support the development of vulnerable infants.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Very preterm infants born between 24+0 and 30+6 weeks' gestational age (GA) from 2 level III NICUs (Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA and Yale New Haven, CT)
• • Infants who are medically stable per the clinical care team
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Infants with major genetic or congenital anomalies known to be associated with developmental delay
• • Infants with severe brain injury (such as intraparenchymal hemorrhage, severe white matter injury)
• • Infants who are severely ill infants for whom MBI is not feasible
• • Infants of parents who cannot complete questionnaires in English or Spanish.