Creative music therapy with premature infants: An analysis of video footage^†

Abstract

Music therapy with premature infants is a globally expanding field in neonatal care. However, to date, the interactive potential of active music therapy approaches with premature infants has received only limited attention in the literature. The aim of this paper is to evaluate possible patterns and types of relevant therapeutic change and interactions in creative music therapy with premature infants. The paper reports on the first phase of a larger qualitative multi-perspective study, which applies principles of grounded theory and therapeutic narrative analysis. Analysis of video footage of two premature infants was conducted to identify preliminary categories to serve as a phenomenon-orientated starting point for a larger grounded theory-based study. From the present results, a working hypothesis emerged that creative music therapy may encourage an active role for the premature infant, helping to uncover their communicative musicality, sensitivity to music, and meaningful relatedness that, in turn, may promote stabilization and development. Analysis further suggests that creative music therapy may be particularly effective to pacify, engage, and empower premature infants without being overwhelming. This is achieved through matching and sharing vitality forms in a continuous, finely-attuned musical re-adjustment process. In the second phase of the study, these themes are confirmed, expanded, or refuted by evaluating a larger number of cases.