Harmonies for Health: Connect Music
Therapy and Cavan General Hospital
develop Innovative Service in Special Care
Baby Unit

In an exciting move for neonatal care in Ireland, we at Connect Music Therapy have, alongside
Cavan General Hospital, have established a music therapy service for neonates and their
parents in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). This pioneering initiative aims to offer vital
emotional and developmental support to some of the hospital's tiniest and most vulnerable
patients.

Music therapy is a growing field internationally, especially in neonatal intensive care units
(NICUs) where evidence shows it can significantly benefit preterm infants. Research has
demonstrated that music therapy can help regulate vital signs such as heart rate, oxygen
saturation, and respiration rates, support neurological development, and promote bonding
between parents and babies during critical early days.

To build on this promising evidence, Connect Music Therapy and Cavan General are also
leading a new research project. The study will measure the effects of music therapy
interventions on neonates' vital signs and will explore the use of music as a
non-pharmacological tool for pain management during stressful procedures.

A Unique and Cherished Experience for Parents and Babies
For many parents, the experience of having a baby in the SCBU can be overwhelming and
isolating. Music therapy offers a moment of connection, comfort, and healing. One mother who
participated in the program shared:

"It was such a beautiful experience that I will forever cherish, a lovely bonding
experience after dealing with postnatal depression with my first baby."

For this mother, music therapy offered not just comfort, but also protection against the emotional
challenges that can accompany neonatal hospitalisation:

"I remember being on the phone to my mammy afterwards crying as I never
experienced something so special, a memory I'll never forget."

These heartfelt words reflect what the service strives to achieve: using music to create precious
moments of connection in the midst of medical uncertainty and stress.

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The Science Behind the Music
Emerging research supports what many parents are already feeling first-hand. Studies show that
live, tailored music interventions can help stabilise premature infants' heart rates, improve
oxygen saturation levels, and lower respiration rates, indicating reduced stress. Furthermore,
when used during painful procedures, music therapy has been associated with reduced pain
scores, offering a gentle, nurturing alternative to medication where appropriate.
By introducing live music, sung lullabies, specialised instruments, and parent-infant musical
interaction, the Music Therapist provides a sensory environment that fosters attachment,
relaxation, and growth. These early moments of bonding and physiological regulation are
essential for long-term emotional and developmental outcomes.

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Looking to the Future
This research project underway will not only deepen the understanding of music therapy's
clinical benefits but may also set a new standard for infant and family-centred care across
Ireland.

As one grateful parent put it:

"It is a credit to you all for making mammy's, daddy's, and babies so comfortable
and taken care of."

Lisa Brady, Assistant Director of Midwifery, also shared her perspective:

“The music therapy service in SCBU has had a profoundly positive impact, not only on the
babies and their families but also on our staff. We've witnessed how music can soothe, connect,
and support development in the most vulnerable newborns. For our team, these sessions
provide moments of calm and emotional reflection amidst the intensity of neonatal care. It has
truly become a valued part of our holistic approach to family-centred care.”

With projects like this, Connect Music Therapy and Cavan General are not only shaping the
future of neonatal care in Ireland but also offering families enduring memories of hope, healing,
and connection during some of the most challenging times of their lives.

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