Longitudinal Study of music Therapy´s Effectiveness for Premature infants and their caregivers (LongSTEP): International randomized trial
Led by the Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre (GAMUT), this project aims to evaluate the effect of music therapy on bonding between preterm infants and their parents during neonatal hospitalization and in home and municipal settings following discharge.
Improved survival rates for extremely premature infants are accompanied by growing concern over long-term complications, poorer quality of life, and lasting psychological impact on caregivers and the infant/parent dyad. Promoting parental well-being and improving quality of relation between preterm infants and parents during the postnatal period may promote bonding, a critical pre-requisite for subsequent formation of healthy attachment, and may contribute to better long-term outcomes for both infants and parents. Coaching parents in the use of music therapy with their infant can promote infant regulation and decrease parental stress during parent/infant interactions.
LongSTEP evaluates the impact of music therapy on parent/infant bond, parent well-being and infant development, outcomes that are of high relevance to users. This project examines the effectiveness and feasibility of implementing music therapy within the Norwegian, European and international context, bridging the transition from hospital to home.
Music therapy will consist of a relatively high level of parental involvement, with the music therapist providing support and coaching to enable parents to use their own voices and resources to promote developmentally-appropriate, co-regulated interactions with their infants.
LongSTEP fills a critical gap in knowledge by providing music therapy over a longer term from hospitalization through the first six months of life, and by assessing long-term outcomes of music therapy for both infant and parent during the first year of the infant’s life. The outcomes of the project will be directly applicable to clinical practice development in the five countries involved including Norway, a country that is just beginning to develop practice within this area of specialization.
Scientific Advisory Committee:
- Deanna Hanson-Abromeit (University of Kansas, USA)
- Friederike Haslbeck (University Hospitals of Zurich and Bern, Switzerland)
- Małgorzata Lipowska (University of Gdansk, Poland)
- Joanne V. Loewy (The Louis Armstrong Center for Music & Medicine, Mount Sinai Beth Israel and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, USA)
- Renate Nussberger (Kantonsspital Baden, Switzerland)
- Helen Shoemark (Temple University, USA)
- Alexandra Ullsten (Central Hospital Karlstad, Sweden)
Project facts
Name
Longitudinal Study of music Therapy´s Effectiveness for Premature infants and their caregivers (LongSTEP): International randomized trial
Status
Active
Duration
07.06.18 - 01.04.26
Location
Bergen
Total budget
18.553.000 NOK
Publications
Short-term Music Therapy for Families With Preterm Infants: A Randomized Trial – Gaden, Tora Söderström; Ghetti, Claire; Kvestad, Ingrid; Bieleninik, Lucja; Stordal, Andreas Størksen; Assmus, Jörg; Shmuel, Arnon; Elefant, Cochavit; Epstein, Shulamit; Ettenberger, Mark; Lichtensztejn, Marcela; Lindvall, Merethe Wolf; Mangersnes, Julie; Røed, Catharina Janner; Vederhus, Bente Johanne; Gold, Christian. 2022, Pediatrics. NORCE, UIB, AMWG, ISRAEL, UTA, UH, COLOMBIA, UCES, HAUKELAND, OUS, AHUS, UW.
The LongSTEP approach: Theoretical framework and intervention protocol for using parent-driven infant-directed singing as resource-oriented music therapy – Gaden, Tora Söderström; Ghetti, Claire; Kvestad, Ingrid; Gold, Christian. 2021, Nordic journal of music therapy. NORCE, UIB.
Longitudinal Study of music Therapy's Effectiveness for Premature infants and their caregivers (LongSTEP): Feasibility study with a Norwegian cohort – Ghetti, Claire; Vederhus, Bente Johanne; Gaden, Tora Söderström; Brenner, Annette; Bieleninik, Lucja; Kvestad, Ingrid; Assmus, Jörg; Gold, Christian. 2021, The Journal of music therapy. UIB, NORCE, HAUKELAND, UG.
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