Effect of Music Therapy Songwriting on Mental Health of Parents in Neonatal Intensive Care Units A Multicenter Study Evaluating Depression and Anxiety Outcomes

What this Trial Is About

The mental health of parents with preterm newborns PTNB in neonatal intensive care units NICUs can be negatively impacted by their babys prolonged hospitalization, leading to depression, anxiety, and stress. Researchers are evaluating whether adding music therapy songwriting to standard care helps reduce the risk of postpartum depression in at-risk parents. This international study includes a mixed-method approach with both a randomized clinical trial and interviews to understand parents experiences with music therapy. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either music therapy songwriting combined with standard care or standard care alone. The music therapy consists of nine sessions, each lasting 30 to 45 minutes, conducted three times per week during the NICU stay. Standard care involves usual support and information about the newborns health, with mental health referrals as needed. The study focuses on parents with newborns born at or before 32 weeks gestation and expected to stay in the NICU for at least three weeks. Parents will be assessed with depression and anxiety scales at baseline and during weeks 1, 2, and 3 of the intervention. Additional measures include resilience, coping, stress, and well-being, tracked over the study period. Researchers will also conduct interviews to explore the parents experiences with music therapy songwriting. The trial aims to provide insights on mental health support for parents of preterm infants during NICU hospitalization, with total participation lasting at least three weeks.

Music Therapy Songwriting and Mental Health in Neonatel Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Parents