A mixed methods study was used to determine if music therapy has beneficial effects on
physiological parameters, behavioral states, and pain scale evaluations in infants with
gastroschisis defects and if music therapy promotes parental/caregiver relaxation and
demonstrates to the parent/caregiver that music is an effective tool to calm and soothe their
infant at risk for chronic gastrointestinal discomfort. The protocol was approved by Children’s
Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota IRB #1110-096 on October 21, 2011.