Using music therapy to help preterm infants with lung disease feed orally

The Use of the Pacifier Activated Lullaby to Improve the Transition to Oral Feeding for Premature Infants With Chronic Lung Disease or Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Not applicable Interventional University of Missouri-Columbia · NCT05446389

This study is testing if music therapy can help preterm infants with lung disease learn to feed by mouth more easily.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages1 Day to 33 Weeks
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Missouri-Columbia Academic / other
Locations1 site (Columbia, Missouri)
Trial IDNCT05446389 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of the Pacifier Activated Lullaby (PAL) intervention on the ability of preterm infants with chronic lung disease to transition to oral feeding. Infants requiring non-invasive respiratory support will be randomized into two groups: one receiving PAL sessions and the other serving as a control group with no additional intervention. The PAL sessions will occur twice a week until the infants are on less than 2 liters of respiratory support, followed by a session before their first oral feeding attempt. The study aims to assess whether this music therapy approach can facilitate oral feeding in this vulnerable population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are preterm infants born before 33 weeks of gestational age who require non-invasive respiratory support.

Not a fit: Patients who are not on respiratory support or those requiring invasive respiratory support will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could improve the oral feeding transition for preterm infants with chronic lung disease, potentially enhancing their overall health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While music therapy has been explored in various contexts, this specific application of the PAL intervention for preterm infants is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* All infants born less than 33 weeks PMA
* Infants enrolled prior to 35 weeks PMA
* Medically stable to tolerate minimal levels of auditory stimulation
* Approval from medical staff to begin intervention
* Requiring non-invasive respiratory support that inhibits the start of oral feeding, including: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Non-Invasive Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NIV-NAVA), Non-Invasive Ventilator (NIV), High Flow Nasal Cannula (\>2L), and Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Infants participating in other music therapy studies.
* Infants in custody of Children's Division
* Requiring non-invasive respiratory support that does not inhibit the start of oral feeding, including High Flow Nasal Cannula (≤ 2L), Nasal Cannula
* Requiring no respiratory support
* Requiring invasive respiratory support
* Infants who are diagnosed with congenital malformations of bowel or bowel perforations
* Infants diagnosed with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis

Where this trial is running

Columbia, Missouri

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Chronic Lung Disease of PrematurityRespiratory Distress Syndrome in Premature InfantBronchopulmonary DysplasiaPreterm BirthMusic TherapyNICUPacifier Activated LullabyPremature Infant
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.