Live music can improve the mental and physical health and wellbeing of expectant mums and children, research has found.

Studies have shown that listening to music while pregnant can boost the immune system, reduce anxiety, pain and depression and speed up recovery times and one study found that it can be as effective as sedatives in relieving anxiety in patients.

As part of Creativity and Wellbeing Week patients on the maternity and paediatric wards at University Hospital Lewisham experienced live music to raise awareness of how arts can enhance children’s health.

Research shows that there are close ties between maternal mental and physical health and that of children.

One in five mothers suffer from depression, anxiety or psychosis during pregnancy or the first year after childbirth which can have an adverse effect on children so Violinist Adrian Garratt performed for patients, staff and visitors on Monday (June 12) to show how music can boost wellbeing.

Staff working on the wards said the performance helped patients feel more relaxed.

Cristina, one of the Midwife Researchers said: “I think it's just lovely to have live music in the Antenatal Clinic.

“When the violinist is playing from Bach to Beatles, it's great to see the women's reactions and how the music changes the environment.

“People are much more relaxed and less stressed. Some of them are actually getting quite emotional, it's really moving.”

Following performances in Maternity and Paediatrics, Garrett will take his violin into Intensive Care, Cancer Care, and Care of the Elderly Wards, also as part of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust’s participation in Creativity and Wellbeing Week.

London Arts in Health Forum works to develop the role of culture in wellbeing and to promote and support arts in health activity across London and nationally.

The organisation’s hopes to widen the focus of activities to encompass all sections of society at risk of exclusion from arts provision but for who access to arts activities could enhance wellbeing, social inclusion and strengthen communities.

Creativity and wellbeing week is a London-wide festival of arts and health being held from June 12 to 18.