Israel is providing relief to premature babies with the sounds of music.
Playing live music helps sooth premature babies being cared for in neonatal units, Israeli researchers have found. The study by researchers from the neonatal department of the Netanya Hospital found live music was more effective than recorded. Babies slept more deeply and had a reduced heart rate after hearing the female voice and harp piece live. According to the BBC, the researchers say neonatal units should use live music, such as mothers singing lullabies, to help babies. The study which was headed by Dr. Shmuel Arnon, was recently presented to the British Psychological Society conference in Leeds. The team is now planning further research looking at a larger group of babies, and comparing different types of music.
