Auditory closed-loop stimulation on sleep slow oscillations using in-ear EEG sensors.

Acoustic stimulation synchronized to slow oscillations in scalp electroencephalograms has been shown to enhance sleep features, which makes it promising in boosting cognitive functions as well as in the treatment of some sleep disturbances. Nevertheless, scalp electrode sensors are resource intensive and poorly tolerated by sleeping patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential usability of in-the-ear electroencephalography to implement auditory closed-loop stimulation during sleep. For this, we evaluated the agreement between slow oscillation recordings obtained through the in-ear sensor and those obtained simultaneously from standard scalp electrodes during naps of 13 healthy subjects. We found that in-ear activity provided enough information to automatically detect sleep slow oscillations in real-time. Based on this, we successfully enhanced scalp slow oscillations using auditory single-cycle closed-loop brain-state-dependent stimulation based on in-ear signals acquired in 11 further subjects. We conclude that in-ear sensors provide a feasible technology for the enhancement of sleep patterns, and could pave the way for new clinical applications in the near future.

Rhythm and Music-Based Interventions in Motor Rehabilitation: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives.

Research in basic and clinical neuroscience of music conducted over the past decades has begun to uncover music's high potential as a tool for rehabilitation. Advances in our understanding of how music engages parallel brain networks underpinning sensory and motor processes, arousal, reward, and affective regulation, have laid a sound neuroscientific foundation for the development of theory-driven music interventions that have been systematically tested in clinical settings. Of particular significance in the context of motor rehabilitation is the notion that musical rhythms can entrain movement patterns in patients with movement-related disorders, serving as a continuous time reference that can help regulate movement timing and pace. To date, a significant number of clinical and experimental studies have tested the application of rhythm- and music-based interventions to improve motor functions following central nervous injury and/or degeneration. The goal of this review is to appraise the current state of knowledge on the effectiveness of music and rhythm to modulate movement spatiotemporal patterns and restore motor function. By organizing and providing a critical appraisal of a large body of research, we hope to provide a revised framework for future research on the effectiveness of rhythm- and music-based interventions to restore and (re)train motor function.

Effects of rhythmic auditory stimulation on functionality in Parkinson's disease / Repercussões da estimulação auditiva rítmica sobre a funcionalidade na doença de Parkinson

Abstract Introduction: Functionality is affected by the clinical characteristics and progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). Objective: Assess the effects of a therapeutic exercise program associated with music-based rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) on the Activities and Participation Profile (APP) related to mobility of people with PD. Methods: Intervention study investigating people with moderate PD recruited from the Hospital das Clínicas of the Federal University of Pernambuco and the Parkinson's Disease Association of Pernambuco. The APP related to mobility of the participants was assessed based on the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF). The APP contains 23 activity/participation items scored from 0 (no problem) to 4 (complete problem). The intervention consisted of 10 outpatient sessions of a therapeutic exercise program associated with music-based RAS, applied using a smartphone application (ParkinSONS®), performed twice a week, with an average duration of 50 minutes per session. Given the metric nature of the variable and its non-normal distribution, Wilcoxon's test was applied, considering p < 0.05. Results: In the sample of 8 patients, there was a significant decline in APP scores after intervention (p = 0.018*), indicating a positive change. Scores for all the APP activities decreased following the intervention, except for "transferring oneself to the left side while lying down". Conclusion: In this study, a therapeutic exercise program associated with music-based RAS had a positive effect on the APP related to mobility of people with moderate PD.

Resumo Introdução: A funcionalidade é afetada pelas características clínicas e progressão da doença de Parkinson (DP). Objetivo: Avaliar as repercussões da aplicação de um protocolo de fisioterapia motora associado à estimulação auditiva rítmica (EAR) com música sobre o perfil de atividade e participação (PAP) relacionado à mobilidade de pessoas com DP. Métodos: Estudo de intervenção realizado com pessoas em estágio moderado de DP recrutadas no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco e na Associação de Parkinson de Pernambuco. Estas foram avaliadas e reavaliadas mediante o PAP relacionado à mobilidade baseado na Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde (CIF). O PAP apresenta 23 itens de atividades/participação pontuados entre 0 (não há problema) e 4 (problema completo). A intervenção consistiu de 10 sessões ambulatoriais de fisioterapia motora associada à EAR com música fornecida por aplicativo instalado em smartphone (ParkinSONS®) duas vezes por semana, com duração média de 50 minutos por sessão. Devido à natureza métrica da variável e sua distribuição não normal, aplicou-se o teste de Wilcoxon, considerando p < 0.05. Resultados: Na amostra de oito pacientes, o PAP apresentou uma redução significativa dos escores após a intervenção (p = 0.018*), indicando mudança positiva no perfil. Todas as atividades do PAP apresentaram diminuição do escore após a intervenção, exceto "transferir-se para o lado esquerdo enquanto estiver deitado". Conclusão: Neste estudo, a aplicação de um protocolo de fisioterapia motora associada à EAR com música em pessoas no estágio moderado da DP apresentou repercussões positivas sobre o PAP relacionado à mobilidade baseado na CIF.

Auditory Temporal Resolution in Individuals with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Abstract Introduction "Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by elevated blood sugar and abnormalities in insulin secretion and action" ( American Diabetes Association). Previous literature has reported connection between diabetes mellitus and hearing impairment. There is a dearth of literature on auditory temporal resolution ability in individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2. Objective The main objective of the present study was to assess auditory temporal resolution ability through GDT (Gap Detection Threshold) in individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2 with high frequency hearing loss. Methods Fifteen subjects with diabetes mellitus type 2 with high frequency hearing loss in the age range of 30 to 40 years participated in the study as the experimental group. Fifteen age-matched non-diabetic individuals with normal hearing served as the control group. We administered the Gap Detection Threshold (GDT) test to all participants to assess their temporal resolution ability. Result We used the independent t-test to compare between groups. Results showed that the diabetic group (experimental) performed significantly poorer compared with the non-diabetic group ( control ). Conclusion It is possible to conclude that widening of auditory filters and changes in the central auditory nervous system contributed to poorer performance for temporal resolution task (Gap Detection Threshold) in individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2. Findings of the present study revealed the deteriorating effect of diabetes mellitus type 2 at the central auditory processing level.

Temporal Resolution and Active Auditory Discrimination Skill in Vocal Musicians

Abstract Introduction Enhanced auditory perception in musicians is likely to result from auditory perceptual learning during several years of training and practice. Many studies have focused on biological processing of auditory stimuli among musicians. However, there is a lack of literature on temporal resolution and active auditory discrimination skills in vocal musicians. Objective The aim of the present study is to assess temporal resolution and active auditory discrimination skill in vocal musicians. Method The study participants included 15 vocal musicians with a minimum professional experience of 5 years of music exposure, within the age range of 20 to 30 years old, as the experimental group, while 15 age-matched non-musicians served as the control group. We used duration discrimination using pure-tones, pulse-train duration discrimination, and gap detection threshold tasks to assess temporal processing skills in both groups. Similarly, we assessed active auditory discrimination skill in both groups using Differential Limen of Frequency (DLF). All tasks were done using MATLab software installed in a personal computer at 40dBSL with maximum likelihood procedure. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS (version 17.0). Result Descriptive statistics showed better threshold for vocal musicians compared with non-musicians for all tasks. Further, independent t-test showed that vocal musicians performed significantly better compared with non-musicians on duration discrimination using pure tone, pulse train duration discrimination, gap detection threshold, and differential limen of frequency. Conclusion The present study showed enhanced temporal resolution ability and better (lower) active discrimination threshold in vocal musicians in comparison to non-musicians.

Temporal Resolution and Active Auditory Discrimination Skill in Vocal Musicians.

Introduction Enhanced auditory perception in musicians is likely to result from auditory perceptual learning during several years of training and practice. Many studies have focused on biological processing of auditory stimuli among musicians. However, there is a lack of literature on temporal resolution and active auditory discrimination skills in vocal musicians. Objective The aim of the present study is to assess temporal resolution and active auditory discrimination skill in vocal musicians. Method The study participants included 15 vocal musicians with a minimum professional experience of 5 years of music exposure, within the age range of 20 to 30 years old, as the experimental group, while 15 age-matched non-musicians served as the control group. We used duration discrimination using pure-tones, pulse-train duration discrimination, and gap detection threshold tasks to assess temporal processing skills in both groups. Similarly, we assessed active auditory discrimination skill in both groups using Differential Limen of Frequency (DLF). All tasks were done using MATLab software installed in a personal computer at 40dBSL with maximum likelihood procedure. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS (version 17.0). Result Descriptive statistics showed better threshold for vocal musicians compared with non-musicians for all tasks. Further, independent t-test showed that vocal musicians performed significantly better compared with non-musicians on duration discrimination using pure tone, pulse train duration discrimination, gap detection threshold, and differential limen of frequency. Conclusion The present study showed enhanced temporal resolution ability and better (lower) active discrimination threshold in vocal musicians in comparison to non-musicians.

Auditory Temporal Resolution in Individuals with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2.

Introduction "Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by elevated blood sugar and abnormalities in insulin secretion and action" (American Diabetes Association). Previous literature has reported connection between diabetes mellitus and hearing impairment. There is a dearth of literature on auditory temporal resolution ability in individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2. Objective The main objective of the present study was to assess auditory temporal resolution ability through GDT (Gap Detection Threshold) in individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2 with high frequency hearing loss. Methods Fifteen subjects with diabetes mellitus type 2 with high frequency hearing loss in the age range of 30 to 40 years participated in the study as the experimental group. Fifteen age-matched non-diabetic individuals with normal hearing served as the control group. We administered the Gap Detection Threshold (GDT) test to all participants to assess their temporal resolution ability. Result We used the independent t-test to compare between groups. Results showed that the diabetic group (experimental) performed significantly poorer compared with the non-diabetic group (control). Conclusion It is possible to conclude that widening of auditory filters and changes in the central auditory nervous system contributed to poorer performance for temporal resolution task (Gap Detection Threshold) in individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2. Findings of the present study revealed the deteriorating effect of diabetes mellitus type 2 at the central auditory processing level.

Effects of auditory stimulation with music of different intensities on heart period.

Various studies have indicated that music therapy with relaxant music improves cardiac function of patients treated with cardiotoxic medication and heavy-metal music acutely reduces heart rate variability (HRV). There is also evidence that white noise auditory stimulation above 50 dB causes cardiac autonomic responses. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the acute effects of musical auditory stimulation with different intensities on cardiac autonomic regulation. This study was performed on 24 healthy women between 18 and 25 years of age. We analyzed HRV in the time [standard deviation of normal-to-normal RR intervals (SDNN), percentage of adjacent RR intervals with a difference of duration >50 ms (pNN50), and root-mean square of differences between adjacent normal RR intervals in a time interval (RMSSD)] and frequency [low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and LF/HF ratio] domains. HRV was recorded at rest for 10 minutes. Subsequently, the volunteers were exposed to baroque or heavy-metal music for 5 minutes through an earphone. The volunteers were exposed to three equivalent sound levels (60-70, 70-80, and 80-90 dB). After the first baroque or heavy-metal music, they remained at rest for 5 minutes and then they were exposed to the other music. The sequence of songs was randomized for each individual. Heavy-metal musical auditory stimulation at 80-90 dB reduced the SDNN index compared with control (44.39 ± 14.40 ms vs. 34.88 ± 8.69 ms), and stimulation at 60-70 dB decreased the LF (ms(2)) index compared with control (668.83 ± 648.74 ms(2) vs. 392.5 ± 179.94 ms(2)). Baroque music at 60-70 dB reduced the LF (ms(2)) index (587.75 ± 318.44 ms(2) vs. 376.21 ± 178.85 ms(2)). In conclusion, heavy-metal and baroque musical auditory stimulation at lower intensities acutely reduced global modulation of the heart and only heavy-metal music reduced HRV at higher intensities.

Children with speech sound disorder: comparing a non-linguistic auditory approach with a phonological intervention approach to improve phonological skills.

This study aimed to compare the effects of a non-linguistic auditory intervention approach with a phonological intervention approach on the phonological skills of children with speech sound disorder (SSD). A total of 17 children, aged 7-12 years, with SSD were randomly allocated to either the non-linguistic auditory temporal intervention group (n = 10, average age 7.7 ± 1.2) or phonological intervention group (n = 7, average age 8.6 ± 1.2). The intervention outcomes included auditory-sensory measures (auditory temporal processing skills) and cognitive measures (attention, short-term memory, speech production, and phonological awareness skills). The auditory approach focused on non-linguistic auditory training (e.g., backward masking and frequency discrimination), whereas the phonological approach focused on speech sound training (e.g., phonological organization and awareness). Both interventions consisted of 12 45-min sessions delivered twice per week, for a total of 9 h. Intra-group analysis demonstrated that the auditory intervention group showed significant gains in both auditory and cognitive measures, whereas no significant gain was observed in the phonological intervention group. No significant improvement on phonological skills was observed in any of the groups. Inter-group analysis demonstrated significant differences between the improvement following training for both groups, with a more pronounced gain for the non-linguistic auditory temporal intervention in one of the visual attention measures and both auditory measures. Therefore, both analyses suggest that although the non-linguistic auditory intervention approach appeared to be the most effective intervention approach, it was not sufficient to promote the enhancement of phonological skills.

Listenmee and Listenmee smartphone application: synchronizing walking to rhythmic auditory cues to improve gait in Parkinson's disease.

Evidence supports the use of rhythmic external auditory signals to improve gait in PD patients (Arias & Cudeiro, 2008; Kenyon & Thaut, 2000; McIntosh, Rice & Thaut, 1994; McIntosh et al., 1997; Morris, Iansek, & Matyas, 1994; Thaut, McIntosh, & Rice, 1997; Suteerawattananon, Morris, Etnyre, Jankovic, & Protas , 2004; Willems, Nieuwboer, Chavert, & Desloovere, 2006). However, few prototypes are available for daily use, and to our knowledge, none utilize a smartphone application allowing individualized sounds and cadence. Therefore, we analyzed the effects on gait of Listenmee®, an intelligent glasses system with a portable auditory device, and present its smartphone application, the Listenmee app®, offering over 100 different sounds and an adjustable metronome to individualize the cueing rate as well as its smartwatch with accelerometer to detect magnitude and direction of the proper acceleration, track calorie count, sleep patterns, steps count and daily distances. The present study included patients with idiopathic PD presented gait disturbances including freezing. Auditory rhythmic cues were delivered through Listenmee®. Performance was analyzed in a motion and gait analysis laboratory. The results revealed significant improvements in gait performance over three major dependent variables: walking speed in 38.1%, cadence in 28.1% and stride length in 44.5%. Our findings suggest that auditory cueing through Listenmee® may significantly enhance gait performance. Further studies are needed to elucidate the potential role and maximize the benefits of these portable devices.

Acute auditory stimulation with different styles of music influences cardiac autonomic regulation in men.

BACKGROUND: No clear evidence is available in the literature regarding the acute effect of different styles of music on cardiac autonomic control. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of classical baroque and heavy metal musical auditory stimulation on Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in healthy men. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, HRV was analyzed regarding time (SDNN, RMSSD, NN50, and pNN50) and frequency domain (LF, HF, and LF / HF) in 12 healthy men. HRV was recorded at seated rest for 10 minutes. Subsequently, the participants were exposed to classical baroque or heavy metal music for five minutes through an earphone at seated rest. After exposure to the first song, they remained at rest for five minutes and they were again exposed to classical baroque or heavy metal music. The music sequence was random for each individual. Standard statistical methods were used for calculation of means and standard deviations. Besides, ANOVA and Friedman test were used for parametric and non-parametric distributions, respectively. RESULTS: While listening to heavy metal music, SDNN was reduced compared to the baseline (P = 0.023). In addition, the LF index (ms(2) and nu) was reduced during exposure to both heavy metal and classical baroque musical auditory stimulation compared to the control condition (P = 0.010 and P = 0.048, respectively). However, the HF index (ms(2)) was reduced only during auditory stimulation with music heavy metal (P = 0.01). The LF/HF ratio on the other hand decreased during auditory stimulation with classical baroque music (P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Acute auditory stimulation with the selected heavy metal musical auditory stimulation decreased the sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation on the heart, while exposure to a selected classical baroque music reduced sympathetic regulation on the heart.

Auditory stimulation with music influences the geometric indices of heart rate variability in men.

BACKGROUND: Chronic classical music was reported to increase parasympathetic activitywhen evaluating heart rate variability (HRV). It is poor in the literature investigation of the acute effects of baroque and heavy metal styles of musical auditory stimulation on HRV. In this study we evaluated the acute effects of relaxant baroque and excitatory heavy metal music on the geometric indices of HRV in healthy men. METHOD: The study was performed in 12 healthy men between 18 and 30 years old. We excluded persons with previous experience with music instrument and those who had affinity with the song styles. We analyzed the following indices: RRtri, TINN and Poincaré plot (SD1, SD2 and SD1/SD2 ratio). HRV was recorded at rest for ten minutes. Subsequently they were exposed to relaxant baroque or excitatory heavy metal music for five minutes through an earphone. After the first music exposure they remained at rest for more five minutes and them they were exposed again to Baroque or Heavy Metal music (65-80 dB). The sequence of songs was randomized for each individual. RESULTS: The RRTri and SD2 indices were reduced during the heavy metal musical auditory stimulation (p < 0.05). No changes were observed regarding TINN, SD1 and SD1/SD2 ratio (p > 0.05).The qualitative Poincaré plot analysis indicated that during relaxant classical baroque music there was observed a higher beat-to-beat dispersion of RR intervals compared with no music exposure and during excitatory heavy metal musical auditory stimulation, showing higher HRV. CONCLUSION: We suggest that excitatory heavy metal music acutely decreases global HRV.

Association between central auditory processing mechanism and cardiac autonomic regulation.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to describe the association between central auditory processing mechanism and the cardiac autonomic regulation. METHODS: IT WAS RESEARCHED PAPERS ON THE TOPIC ADDRESSED IN THIS STUDY CONSIDERING THE FOLLOWING DATA BASES: Medline, Pubmed, Lilacs, Scopus and Cochrane. The key words were: "auditory stimulation, heart rate, autonomic nervous system and P300". RESULTS: The findings in the literature demonstrated that auditory stimulation influences the autonomic nervous system and has been used in conjunction with other methods. It is considered a promising step in the investigation of therapeutic procedures for rehabilitation and quality of life of several pathologies. CONCLUSION: The association between auditory stimulation and the level of the cardiac autonomic nervous system has received significant contributions in relation to musical stimuli.

Eficácia do uso de um software para estimulação de habilidades de consciência fonológica em crianças / Effectiveness of using software for stimulation of phonological awareness abilities in children

OBJETIVO: Verificar a eficácia do uso do software "Pedro no Parque de Diversões" no desenvolvimento da consciência fonológica e na construção da escrita alfabética. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 12 crianças, com idades entre 4 e 5 anos, de uma escola particular de educação infantil da cidade de Porto Alegre. Cada criança foi avaliada individualmente quanto à consciência fonológica e hipótese de escrita. Por meio de sorteio, as crianças com hipótese de escrita pré-silábica foram divididas em dois grupos: o grupo estudo (GE) e o grupo controle (GC). As crianças do GE foram estimuladas com o uso do software e as do GC receberam, unicamente, a estimulação de linguagem e de consciência fonológica padrão da escola. Ao término da estimulação (dez encontros) as crianças foram reavaliadas. RESULTADOS: Os resultados evidenciaram diferença significativa no que se refere à consciência fonológica, no nível da sílaba e do fonema, e à mudança da hipótese de escrita dos participantes do GE, em relação ao desempenho dos participantes do GC. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo verificou que o software, tendo o fonoaudiólogo como mediador, foi eficaz para desenvolver a consciência fonológica e facilitou a mudança da hipótese de escrita pré-silábica para a silábica. Dessa forma, programas de estimulação usados na educação infantil devem ser cuidadosamente selecionados, para garantir maiores resultados.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether the software called Peter in the Amusement Park is effective in both developing phonological awareness and building alphabetical writing. METHODS: Twelve children, aged 4-5 years, from a nursery school in Porto Alegre, participated in this study. Each child was individually assessed in terms of phonological awareness and had his/her writing hypothesis analyzed. Children whose writing hypothesis was considered pre-syllabic were randomly assigned to two groups: study group (SG) and control group (CG). Children belonging to SG were stimulated through the use of the software, while those from CG were given only standardized school stimulation. At the end of 10 stimulation meetings, children were reassessed. RESULTS: The results have shown a statistically significant difference in phonological awareness at the level of syllable and phonemes, as well as change in the writing hypothesis among SG children in comparison to the CG participants' performance. CONCLUSION: The study evidenced that the software, by having a speech and language pathologist as a mediator, was effective to develop phonological awareness and facilitated the change in the spelling hypothesis from pre-syllabic writing to syllabic writing. Therefore, stimulation programs used in children education should be carefully selected in order to guarantee better results.

The effects of auditory stimulation with music on heart rate variability in healthy women

OBJECTIVES: There are no data in the literature with regard to the acute effects of different styles of music on the geometric indices of heart rate variability. In this study, we evaluated the acute effects of relaxant baroque and excitatory heavy metal music on the geometric indices of heart rate variability in women. METHODS: We conducted this study in 21 healthy women ranging in age from 18 to 35 years. We excluded persons with previous experience with musical instruments and persons who had an affinity for the song styles. We evaluated two groups: Group 1 (n = 21), who were exposed to relaxant classical baroque musical and excitatory heavy metal auditory stimulation; and Group 2 (n = 19), who were exposed to both styles of music and white noise auditory stimulation. Using earphones, the volunteers were exposed to baroque or heavy metal music for five minutes. After the first music exposure to baroque or heavy metal music, they remained at rest for five minutes; subsequently, they were re-exposed to the opposite music (70-80 dB). A different group of women were exposed to the same music styles plus white noise auditory stimulation (90 dB). The sequence of the songs was randomized for each individual. We analyzed the following indices: triangular index, triangular interpolation of RR intervals and Poincaré plot (standard deviation of instantaneous beat-by-beat variability, standard deviation of the long-term RR interval, standard deviation of instantaneous beat-by-beat variability and standard deviation of the long-term RR interval ratio), low frequency, high frequency, low frequency/high frequency ratio, standard deviation of all the normal RR intervals, root-mean square of differences between the adjacent normal RR intervals and the percentage of adjacent RR intervals with a difference of duration greater than 50 ms. Heart rate variability was recorded at rest for 10 minutes. ...

Auditory stimulation and cardiac autonomic regulation

Previous studies have already demonstrated that auditory stimulation with music influences the cardiovascular system. In this study, we described the relationship between musical auditory stimulation and heart rate variability. Searches were performed with the Medline, SciELO, Lilacs and Cochrane databases using the following keywords: "auditory stimulation", "autonomic nervous system", "music" and "heart rate variability". The selected studies indicated that there is a strong correlation between noise intensity and vagal-sympathetic balance. Additionally, it was reported that music therapy improved heart rate variability in anthracycline-treated breast cancer patients. It was hypothesized that dopamine release in the striatal system induced by pleasurable songs is involved in cardiac autonomic regulation. Musical auditory stimulation influences heart rate variability through a neural mechanism that is not well understood. Further studies are necessary to develop new therapies to treat cardiovascular disorders.

Prácticas sobre estimulación prenatal que realizan las gestantes adultas asistentes al control prenatal en Sincelejo (Colombia) / Antenatal stimulation practices made by adult pregnant women who assist to antenatal control in Sincelejo (Colombia)

Objetivos: Describir las prácticas de cuidado sobre estimulación prenatal que realizan consigo mismas y con su hijo un grupo de gestantes asistentes al control prenatal en las instituciones prestadoras de servicios de salud Las Américas, San Luis y al Programa de Proyección Social de la Universidad de Sucre, durante septiembre y octubre de 2006. Materiales y métodos: Se desarrolló un estudio descriptivo y de corte transversal, con una selección de muestra intencional de 141 gestantes, las cuales no tenían patologías asociadas, que constituían el 68.7% del total de la población objeto del estudio. Resultados: El 92.9% de la muestra no asistió al curso psicoprofiláctico, 69.5% de las gestantes manifestó que la estimulación debe hacerse desde el primer trimestre del embarazo, el 63.8% respondió que siempre le habla a su bebé y realiza estimulación auditiva, mientras que 48.9% respondió que siempre evita colocar música cerca del abdomen. En cuanto a la estimulación visual, el 76.6% de la muestra manifestó que nunca estimula con luz a través del abdomen a su bebé. Conclusiones: En general, las prácticas de estimulación prenatal sencillas o instintivas, entre las que se encuentran hablarle y acariciar el abdomen, fueron aceptables. Es posible inferir que las gestantes de este estudio presentan buenas prácticas de estimulación táctil por medio de las caricias a través de las paredes abdominales, lo cual ayuda a fortalecer el vinculo madre-hijo...

Objetive: Describe the practices in prenatal estimutation care and with their unborn children a group of adult pregnant women who assist to antenatal control at the institutional health services Las Americas, San Luis and the Social Projection Program of the Universityof Sucre, during September – October of 2006. Materials and methods: It was developed a descriptive study, cross sectional, with an intentional selection of a sample of 141 pregnant women without associated pathologies, that represent 68.7% of the population involved in the study. Results: According to care practices of antenatal stimulation, it was observed that 92.9% of the sample did not assist to psycoprofilactic course, 69.5% manifested that stimulation must be made since first trimester, what it’s positive for developing the new human being; 63.8% of the sample said that always talk to their baby, making auditory stimulation, while 48.9% said that always avoid to play music near the abdomen. About visual stimulation, 76.6% of the sample said that never stimulate with light through the abdomen to her baby. Conclusions: In general the practices of simple prenatal stimulations among then the speach and abdominal stimulations were accepted. This pregnancy women present good practices of tactil stimulation throught contact with the abdominal walls to enforce the contact mother-child...