February 4, 2026 | Blogs and News

At Children’s Music Fund, we’ve long witnessed and advocated for music’s ability to soothe, support and strengthen children and families in the most challenging moments. Music has the healing power that goes well beyond comfort, creating measurable benefits backed by compelling research.A 2022 exploratory study, The Effect of Music Therapy on Perceived Parental Stress in Perinatal Care, evaluates how Music Therapy may help parents navigate the stress of perinatal care, particularly during stays in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This study was conducted by some of the most gifted Music Therapists and Physician/Scientists currently in practice. They include: Jenna Bollard-Marcovitz, MA, MT-BC, CCLS , Esteban Roa, MT-BC , Luisa Flores, MT-BC , Scott Brown MD, Amira Gill, MT-BC , Chelsea Brown, MT-BC , Eiress Wicks, MT-BC , Hranush Danelyan MD, Mint Tan, BA , Grace Pak, MT-BC , Bethany Pincus, MA, MT-BC , Julia Petrey-Juarez, MT-BC, and our very own Raffi Tachdjian, MD, MPH.

A Closer Look at Parental Stress in Perinatal Hospitals
Becoming a parent is one of life’s great joys. Yet, for some parents it can also be stressful. High-risk maternity care, antepartum bedrest, labor, surgical preparation, or a NICU stay for a premature baby can be overwhelming and very stressful for parents. 

This study included all parents of preterm or critically ill infants in the NICU and expecting parents hospitalized in the maternity unit (older than 18 years of age). Each week, Music Therapists offered services to all newly admitted parents in the maternity ward and NICU. Music Therapy services varied, family-to-family, with the longest continued session lasting up to six months of weekly Music Therapy sessions. 

Parental stress related to Music Therapy sessions was evaluated using anonymous, voluntary surveys administered in-person, which included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to measure overall stress from admission to discharge and the Stress Numeric Rating Scale (SNRS-11) to assess immediate stress levels before and after each session. Optional qualitative feedback was also collected at discharge to capture parents’ written reflections on the overall Music Therapy session. 

What the Study Found
The study featured 77 Music Therapy sessions and fundings include: 

  • After only one session of Music Therapy, parents in both antepartum and NICU settings reported a 50% reduction in their self-rated stress scores on the SNRS-11. 
  • While the Perceived Stress Scale showed more modest changes, parents of NICU infants trended toward lower overall stress.
  • These early findings align with a growing body of evidence showing that Music Therapy is not only a fun experience; it is clinically meaningful part of care, especially during stressful healthcare journeys like those faced by NICU families. 

Why This Matters for Patients and Their Families
Music Therapy has the power to help parents, not just in-hospital patients. When parents are stressed, nervous, or overwhelmed, it can negatively affect not only their personal well-being but also how they care for and connect with their infant. This study proves that reducing parental stress can improve interactions, strengthen bonding, and contribute to a calmer environment for healing. At CMF, we’re committed to bringing Music Therapy to children and families at every stage of their healthcare journey.

Click here to support future research.

Read our blog post on how music therapy can not only help parents, but their newborns.

Read abstract for full article in Music Therapy Perspectives.