The interactive potential of creative music therapy with premature infants and their parents: A qualitative analysis

Abstract

Findings of a previous video analysis of creative music therapy (CMT) with premature infants indicate that music therapy in neonatal care may contribute to more than the infant’s stabilization and relaxation, as predominantly recognized in the literature to date. The aim of this paper is to further investigate the interactive potential of CMT, by comparing a larger number of cases. Video footage of music therapy sessions with 18 premature infants (and their parents) with a broad range of social and diagnostic diversity, as well as interview data derived from their parents, have been analysed in a qualitative grounded theory-based study. The results confirm that CMT may actively assist premature infants to uncover their communicative musicality, which in turn may promote self-regulation and development. CMT also may empower parents by supporting their well-being, self-confidence, and quality of interactions with their infant through music. However, high-level awareness, responsiveness, and the professional use of CMT by a specially trained music therapist are recommended to continuously adjust to the changing individual needs of both the infant and parents.