TY - JOUR
T1 - A Specialised Antenatal Music Therapy (SAMT) programme for pregnant women with mental health conditions
T2 - A mixed-methods proof-of-concept study in Ireland
AU - Cheung, Pui Sze
AU - Mohamad, Mas Mahady
AU - Fitzpatrick, Katie
AU - Tighe, Sylvia Murphy
AU - Clifford, Amanda M.
AU - McCaffrey, Tríona
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2024/9
Y1 - 2024/9
N2 - Introduction: Perinatal mental health has a long-term impact on maternal and infant well-being. Non-pharmacological treatment options are needed for pregnant women and emerging evidence has shown the potential of music therapy to improve perinatal mental health and antenatal attachment. However, research is lacking on individual music therapy for pregnant women with mental health conditions and formal music therapy services are currently absent within perinatal mental health care in Ireland. This mixed-methods, proof-of-concept study aimed to assess the feasibility and preliminary evidence on the effectiveness of a specialised antenatal music therapy (SAMT) programme for pregnant women attending the Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service (SPMHS). Method: Pregnant women between 25 and 33 weeks gestation with various mental health conditions were recruited through the SPMHS to receive six in-person or online sessions of SAMT. Feasibility outcomes included retention, adherence, and fidelity.\ Assessment of participants’ wellbeing, anxiety, and antenatal attachment were conducted before and after SAMT and each session. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Twelve pregnant women were included and nine completed SAMT and assessments, demonstrating a 75% retention rate. High levels of adherence and fidelity were reported. Significant improvements were observed in participants’ wellbeing, anxiety levels, and antenatal attachment. Qualitative findings highlighted the therapeutic benefits, the accessibility and challenges of the online setting, distinctive therapeutic experiences, and participants’ recommendations. Discussion: The findings suggest implementing SAMT within the Irish SPMHS is feasible and beneficial. The study offers insights into the therapeutic mechanisms of SAMT and supports the progression to a larger trial.
AB - Introduction: Perinatal mental health has a long-term impact on maternal and infant well-being. Non-pharmacological treatment options are needed for pregnant women and emerging evidence has shown the potential of music therapy to improve perinatal mental health and antenatal attachment. However, research is lacking on individual music therapy for pregnant women with mental health conditions and formal music therapy services are currently absent within perinatal mental health care in Ireland. This mixed-methods, proof-of-concept study aimed to assess the feasibility and preliminary evidence on the effectiveness of a specialised antenatal music therapy (SAMT) programme for pregnant women attending the Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service (SPMHS). Method: Pregnant women between 25 and 33 weeks gestation with various mental health conditions were recruited through the SPMHS to receive six in-person or online sessions of SAMT. Feasibility outcomes included retention, adherence, and fidelity.\ Assessment of participants’ wellbeing, anxiety, and antenatal attachment were conducted before and after SAMT and each session. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Twelve pregnant women were included and nine completed SAMT and assessments, demonstrating a 75% retention rate. High levels of adherence and fidelity were reported. Significant improvements were observed in participants’ wellbeing, anxiety levels, and antenatal attachment. Qualitative findings highlighted the therapeutic benefits, the accessibility and challenges of the online setting, distinctive therapeutic experiences, and participants’ recommendations. Discussion: The findings suggest implementing SAMT within the Irish SPMHS is feasible and beneficial. The study offers insights into the therapeutic mechanisms of SAMT and supports the progression to a larger trial.
KW - Music therapy
KW - maternity
KW - perinatal mental health
KW - pregnancy
KW - women’s health
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85204239573&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/08098131.2024.2396099
DO - 10.1080/08098131.2024.2396099
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85204239573
SN - 0809-8131
JO - Nordic Journal of Music Therapy
JF - Nordic Journal of Music Therapy
ER -