Baton Rouge General Brings Healing through Music for Area’s Tiniest Patients

BRG’s Arts in Medicine, Birth Center start NICU Music Therapy program

BATON ROUGE, La. – Baton Rouge General (BRG) is bringing a Music Therapy Program to its tiniest patients through an expansion of its Arts in Medicine program. Beginning this month, babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) will be exposed to calming, rhythmic sounds that are designed to help babies grown and heal.

Studies show music therapy in the NICU provides a host of benefits, including a stabilized heart rate and improved breathing, feeding, weight gain and sleep. BRG’s music therapists use breath, voice and specialized instruments to recreate sounds from the womb that comfort and stimulate babies as they grow.

“Music therapy decreases stress and helps both parents and babies bond, which could mean a shorter hospital stay for their baby,” said Erika Moss, RN, Director of Women’s Services.

BRG created its Arts in Medicine program in 2012. The program brings creative activities to patients to inspire hope and promote healing. On any given day, patients, family members, friends and staff can be seen painting to reduce stress, playing harmonica to improve respiratory capability, singing or playing musical instruments to decrease anxiety and pain perception, or enjoying live music around campus.

“Research shows again and again the benefits of the arts on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health,” said Kim Henderson, Supervisor of the Arts in Medicine program. “No matter your age, music and art can help you heal.”

For more information, call (225) 387-7040.

About Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Baton Rouge General Medical Center is the area’s first community hospital with 588 licensed beds between two campuses. Baton Rouge General opened its doors in 1900, and has provided the Greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality healthcare for generations. An accredited teaching hospital since 1991, Baton Rouge General serves as an affiliate of Tulane University School of Medicine, and offers other medical education programs, including a School of Nursing, School of Radiologic Technology, Family Medicine Residency Program, Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. For more information, visit BRGeneral.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BatonRougeGeneral and follow us on Twitter at @BRGeneral.

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