Can music soothe the tiniest hearts? new study tests genres on preterm infants

NCT ID NCT04049526

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Ospedale di Circolo - Fondazione Macchi Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot study looked at how different types of music (soft pop-rap, pop-rock, and classical) affect heart rate variability in 30 very low birth weight premature babies. Each baby listened to music for 25 minutes daily over 3 days, with a day of no music for comparison. The goal is to understand which music might best support their developing nervous systems.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: music listening (soft pop-rap, pop-rock, classical)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could help design better music-based care to support the development of premature infants.
What could go wrong: This is a very small pilot study (30 infants) with no direct health outcome measured. Results may not apply to all preterm babies or lead to clear clinical changes.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Infant Behavior

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

INFANT BEHAVIOR INFANT CONDITIONS INFANT MORBIDITY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Barbara Sgobbi

Varese, Italy, Italy

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