Music Therapy Shows Promise for Premature Babies in Swiss Study

Geneva University Hospitals research reveals music strengthens brain connections in premature infants, offering potential new treatment approach.

Music therapy strengthens cerebral connectivity in premature babies' brains
Study included 60 premature babies - 32 exposed to music, 28 in control group
Improvements were visible in MRIs as early as 33 weeks of age
Zurich-based composer Andreas Vollenweider created special music pieces for the study

29 weeks

Average gestational age of infants in study

8 minutes

Duration of musical samples

10 years

Approximate duration of ongoing research

"Children born prematurely almost always show reduced connectivity in this network, and this characteristic persists into adulthood"
— Petra Hüppi

Breakthrough in Music Therapy for Premature Infants

Music therapy strengthens cerebral connectivity in premature babies' brains
Study included 60 premature babies - 32 exposed to music, 28 in control group
Improvements were visible in MRIs as early as 33 weeks of age
Zurich-based composer Andreas Vollenweider created special music pieces for the study

29 weeks

Average gestational age of infants in study

8 minutes

Duration of musical samples

10 years

Approximate duration of ongoing research

"Children born prematurely almost always show reduced connectivity in this network, and this characteristic persists into adulthood"
— Petra Hüppi