title: "The Original Sound": a new non-pharmacological approach to the postnatal stress management of preterm infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of the exposure to "The Original Sound" (TOS), an original track composed of different sounds such as fetal heartbeat, breathing, blood flow, and ambience sounds, specifically created for this study, on physiological stability of preterm infants during a 10-d hospitalization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four preterm infants (32-37 weeks of gestation) were randomized to receive either TOS or environmental noise. TOS was provided for a 20-min period, three times a day, using two speakers and a MP3 player placed in the cradle. Cardiorespiratory and behavioral parameters were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Heart rate in the treated group was positively correlated with TOS exposure, showing a significant reduction on day 2 and lower values during the first day. A decrease in RR is also recorded on day two in the TOS group, although not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides preliminary evidence for short-term improvements in the physiological stability of preterm infants using TOS. Future studies are needed to investigate the potential of this non-pharmacological approach and its clinical relevance to postnatal stress management in neonatal intensive care units.
authors.affiliation: a Neonatology and NICU, Ospedale Del Ponte, Azienda Ospedaliera Di Circolo Fondazione Macchi , Varese , Italy .
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tandoi
authors.affiliation: b Neonatology and NICU, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health , Fondazione IRCCS Cá Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milano , Italy .
authors.forename: Gaia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Francescato
authors.affiliation: c Pediatric Clinic, Major Hospital Charity , Novara , Italy , and.
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pagani
authors.affiliation: a Neonatology and NICU, Ospedale Del Ponte, Azienda Ospedaliera Di Circolo Fondazione Macchi , Varese , Italy .
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Buzzetti
authors.affiliation: d Department of Epidemiology , IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri" , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Negri
authors.affiliation: a Neonatology and NICU, Ospedale Del Ponte, Azienda Ospedaliera Di Circolo Fondazione Macchi , Varese , Italy .
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Agosti
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Neonatal Care; preterm neonates; stress management