Chennai: In a first-of-its-kind initiative to understand the role of music in medical imaging and study the impact of sound on a developing fetus, doctors at Medicscan highlighted the importance of a new apparatus; Maps (Music & Sound Assisted Prenatal Sonography) which could actually go the distance and diagnose abnormal behavior in fetuses.
Deeming it as a pioneer device which uses music and sound for fetal study, M. F. Davis, radiologist & founder - Medimusictech said, “ Can music be used as a tool to diagnose something abnormal is the thought behind the development of this device and since then work on it has been going on for the past two years.”
Stating that the maximum permitted limit of sound is 65 decibels for conducting tests, Davis said, “ We wanted three types of music for three types of behavior in the babies, that is during sleep, when the baby is awake and when it is overactive and needs oxygen. For this, we have also collaborated with Alphons Joseph who is a music director from Kerala.”
Sounds of nature like sea waves and chirping of birds have also been used. Based on the responses, results are being formulated, Maruthy of Narayana Medical College who is also a part of the team who brought forth this instrument said, “ We took nine months to design the instrument and till now have tested it on 20 expecting mothers in their third trimester and have received happy responses.”
He said the aim is to use music as a tool to diagnose any abnormalities and identify any problem , for example if the baby has a hearing problem. But as of now we have to standardise it. “ We hope that the medical imaging technology will go to the next level using music and sounds, and a new subspecialty of Radiology will emerge supported by music.,” he added. In Bengaluru, Maps has been used on first year medical students to identify anxiety disorders and also bring down anxiety levels in women during their first pregnancy.
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