Bach music in preterm infants: no 'Mozart effect' on resting energy expenditure.
OBJECTIVE
To study whether Johan Sebastian Bach music has a lowering effect on resting energy expenditure (REE) similar to that of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart music.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized clinical trial with cross-over in 12 healthy, appropriate weights for gestational age (GA), gavage fed, metabolically stable, preterm infants. Infants were randomized to a 30-min period of either Mozart or Bach music or no music over 3 consecutive days. REE was measured every minute by indirect calorimetry.


RESULTS
Three REE measurements were performed in each of 12 infants at age 20±15.8 days. Mean GA was 30.17±2.44 weeks and mean birthweight was 1246±239 g. REE was similar during the first 10-min of all three randomization periods. During the next 10-min period, infants exposed to music by Mozart had a trend toward lower REE than when not exposed to music. This trend became significant during the third 10-min period. In contrast, music by Bach or no music did not affect significantly REE during the whole study. On average, the effect size of Mozart music upon REE was a reduction of 7.7% from baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
Mozart music significantly lowers REE in preterm infants, whereas Bach music has no similar effect. We speculate that 'Mozart effect' must be taken into account when incorporating music in the therapy of preterm infants, as not all types of music may have similar effects upon REE and growth.
Department of Neonatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
H Rosenfeld
HR
Keidar
1] Department of Neonatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel [2] Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
D
D
Mandel
1] Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel [2] Department of Pediatrics, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
F B
FB
Mimouni
1] Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel [2] Department of Pediatrics, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
R
R
Lubetzky
D000328:Adult; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009146:Music; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult