The Effect of Music on Respiratory and Heart Rate of Premature Infants

Abstract

Introduction: Among infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit, excessive noise is correlated with increases in heart rate, increase in respiratory rate, decrease in oxygen saturation as well as sleep disturbances. Apart from overcoming the noise in the environment, music is believed to enhance the infant’s general well-being, reduce its stress and unpleasant symptoms. This study examines the effects of music on the heart and respiratory rate of the premature infants in NICU.