Introduction: Respiratory distress constitutes the commonest cause of morbidity in newborn babies and also it is the leading cause of nursery admissions as well as death. The primary purpose of this study is to assess the effect of classical music therapy on respiratory distress status among preterm neonates. Methods: The research approach of the study was Quasi experimental with time series design. Classical music (Instrumental Flute) was played for preterm neonates with MP3 player for a total duration of 30 minutes at 20 to 30dBSPL. Respiratory distress were assessed by Downe’s Score, recorded at 5 minute intervals during the therapy period and for the pre music and after music therapy period, the time intervals were 2.5 minutes. The study duration was 60 minutes, 15 minutes before music therapy (BMT), 30 minutes of music therapy (DMT) and 15 minutes after music therapy (AMT). 50 preterm neonates admitted in newborn nursery were selected by convenient sampling and studied for 4 consecutive days. Day 1 and 3 for music therapy (experimental group) and day 2 and 4 as control group when no music was played through headphone. Here the subjects act as control group on alternate days. Results: On experimental day 1 and day 3, the respiratory distress were reduced from moderate to mild state during therapy and was maintained for a short period after music therapy (U= 5.41 (DMT), U= 5.27 (AMT) P= <0.001and on control group no statistical significance were found (P= >0.05). Conclusion: Listening to classical music therapy was associated with a significant (P<0.001) reductions of respiratory distress in preterm neonates. These effects appear to persist beyond the music therapy for a short period and may play a useful role to achieve relaxation for babies in NICU.

Keywords: Classical music therapy; Preterm neonate and Respiratory distress.