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GP252 The effect of music therapy on the electroencephalogram (EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV) of premature infants during routine painful procedures

Background Music therapy may be beneficial for relieving pain associated with Neonatal Intensive Care Unit procedures. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of music on the EEG and HRV of premature infants during painful procedures. Methods This was a randomised crossover study in newborns delivered before 32weeks gestational age (GA). Infants were randomised to receive initially either sucrose or sucrose and music therapy (Brahms’ lullaby) during routine venepuncture. Infants had multichannel EEG recorded during the procedure, with ECG part of the EEG montage. Three 2-minute artefact free EEG and ECG epochs (before venepuncture, 4 minutes and 18 minutes after venepuncture) were selected for analysis. Matlab was used to perform quantitative EEG and HRV analysis. Results Twenty-one preterm infants were recruited 8 males (38%) and 13 females (62%), mean birth weight 932 g. The EEG analysis showed no clinically significant difference between the two groups. The HRV analysis showed an increase of the mean NN interval and LF-HF ratio at 18 minutes post-procedure in intervention arm. Conclusion EEG features were not significantly altered by painful procedures in our study, and music therapy did not change this response. The changes in HRV indicate improved autonomic stability and a decrease stress during painful procedures with music therapy.