Abstract
M.Cur. (Obstetrics and Neonatal Nursing)
A premature baby is physiologically and neurologically immature and does
not always react as desired to the extra-uterine environment. A possible
way to stimulate babies is by playing slow baroque music to them.
The purpose of the study was to determine what effect slow baroque.music
has on the heart rate, respiratory rate, saturation, blood pressure and motor
movements of premature babies.
The effect of slow baroque music on premature babies was investigated by
means of an extensive literature study, but only limited research on
premature babies was found.
A preparatory study was used to determine whether slow baroque music
has a positive effect on the behaviour of premature babies. Ten premature
babies were then used as case studies to determine the effect of slow
baroque music on their heart and respiratory rates, saturation, blood
pressure and motor movements.
The following conclusions were reached by statistically processing the
results:
• Slow baroque music had a positive and significant effect on the
babies' respiratory rate and motor movements.
• The heart rate, saturation and blood pressure of the babies showed a
slight positive effect only.
Nursing guidelines were established for playing baroque music to
premature babies and recommendations were made for further research.