The Effects of a Music and Singing Intervention During Pregnancy on Maternal Well-being and Mother-infant Bonding: A Randomised, Controlled Study

Journal

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Year

2021

Abstract

PURPOSE: Stress and impaired mother-infant bonding during pregnancy can lead to adverse effects for the expectant mother and the unborn child. The present study investigates whether a prenatal music and singing intervention can improve maternal well-being as well as mother-infant bonding. METHODS: A total of 172 pregnant women took part in this prospective, randomised, three-armed (music, singing or control group) study. Depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, maternal well-being and mother-infant bonding were assessed with visual analogue scales and questionnaires before the intervention phase (30th week of gestation) and afterwards (36th week of gestation). Additionally, immediate changes regarding experienced stress and mood from before until after the music and singing interventions were explored with questionnaires as well as saliva samples (for cortisol, alpha-amylase and oxytocin determination). RESULTS: Regarding immediate effects, both interventions showed positive effects on the emotional state, stress (cortisol) and bonding (oxytocin). Additionally, the singing group showed a larger reduction in cortisol and a larger improvement in valence than the music group. Looking at more prolonged effects, significant effects on general self-efficacy and perceived closeness to the unborn child (measured with a visual analogue scale) were found. No significant effects were revealed for the mother-infant bonding questionnaire and for depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: In the present study, promising effects of music and in particular singing on maternal well-being and perceived closeness during pregnancy appeared. Prenatal music and singing interventions could be an easy to implement and effective addition to improve mood and well-being of the expectant mother and support mother-infant bonding. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: DRKS00012822, date of registration: 17.10.2017.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Cortiso; Emotional Functioning; Mental Health; Mood; Mood Scales; Music Listening; Pregnancy; Psychological Outcomes; Questionnaires; Recorded Music Listening; Self-Efficacy; Self-Report Measures; Stress; Visual Analog Scale (VAS); Wellness and Well-Being

Indexed Terms

Germany; Infants; Mental Health; Mother-Child Relations; Mothers; Object Attachment; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Singing; Surveys and Questionnaires; Maternal well-being; Mother–infant bonding; Pregnancy

Study Type

Randomized Controlled Trial; Quantitative Methods

PubMed ID

32776296

Document Type

Article

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