Music Therapy for Hospitalized Antepartum Patients: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

This study reports the benefits of individual music therapy with 5 mothers hospitalized due to complications related to their pregnancies. These five expectant mothers, hospitalized for a range of reasons, participated in 1 to 5 music therapy sessions focused primarily on their emotional well-being. An analysis of data from the Antepartum Bedrest Emotional Impact Inventory revealed significant changes (p = .0006) in the emotional health of these expectant mothers after their music therapy sessions. Concomitant analysis of post-session questionnaires suggested four primary types of emotional benefit: (1) improved connections to family, (2) normalization of the hospital experience, (3) emotional relief, and (4) new resources to manage the hospital experience. These benefits are described within the context of the music therapy sessions along with a discussion of practical challenges that arose while implementing music therapy in this hospital environment.