EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL LACTOGENIC EFFECT OF RECEPTIVE MUSIC THERAPY USING INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC IN PRIMIPARAS WOMEN- A CASE CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Music therapy in recent years has been widely acclaimed as a non-invasive therapeutic modality for various disorders as well as a strategic tool in the promulgation of salutogenesis or wellness. Among the four major types of music therapy in vogue, receptive music therapy has been acquiring special significance as a tool of wellness in bestowing a   relaxing and calming experience. However, very few reports, based on evidence generated data are available from India on the use of Indian Classical Music rAgas or musical modes in receptive music therapy, as applied to obstetrics-gynecology setting related to lactation management.

Methods: The Case control trial was carried out on 60 primipara mothers who had a normal delivery at a tertiary health care set up endowed with a school of music therapy. Blood samples were collected once each, prior to delivery, post -delivery and following 72 hours. Credentialed music was administered, using six sampUrNa rAgAs (musical modes having all the seven notes) twice daily for 30 minutes and fortified by an imagery script to facilitate bonding with the child. The study received the approbation of the competent authority. Biochemical estimation was carried out using ELISA kits. Appropriate statistical tools  and stringent quality control in the laboratory were ensured.

Results: The study evaluated the changes in prolactin levels in immediate post partum women and the maternal perception of breastfeeding was also administered and analysed with the UNICEF Breastfeeding checklist. The results revealed positive improvement in prolactin levels in the Music therapy group in comparison to the control group. Some of the items of the checklist which included no of feeds per day. Time duration of each feed, comfort of the mother during breastfeeding and no of nappies changed during a day was found to be on a improvement over the control group.

Conclusion: Music therapy as a receptive method can be used in clinical areas where feasibility of complete silence may not be possible. The results of this study has shown that music therapy can be useful in lactating mothers with the increase biomarkers of hormones in lactating mothers. The maternal perception has also been positive towards the use of music therapy at the immediate postpartum period. The future implications may be directed towards other areas of stress, postpartum depression among others.