Abstract

• Purpose
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the premature infants' responses to infant massage (tactile and kinesthetic stimulation). These responses measured by weight, physiological (vagal tone, heart rate, oxygen saturation) and behavioral responses (behavioral states, motor activities, and behavioral distress).
• Methods
  This study was conducted using an equivalent control pretest-posttest design. The sample was divided into two groups of 13 infants with gestational age less than 36 weeks at birth, birth weight less than 2000g, and no congenital anomalies. The experimental group received the massage intervention twice daily for 10 days. The data were collected for 10 minutes prior to and 10 minutes after the massage.
• Results
  The vagal tone was significantly higher after massage than before massage in the experimental group, while no change in the control group. The experimental group had significantly higher scores for awake state and motor activity than the control group. Significantly greater awake state, more fidgeting or crying, and increased motor activity were reported after massage than before massage.
• Conclusions
  The results of this study showed that massage therapy might enhance optimal physiological responses and behavioral organization of premature infants. Nursing staff in the NICU can use massage to promote the infant's capability to respond positively to his environment and to provide developmental support for healthy premature infants.
• Keywords: Massage; Body weight; Infant behavior; Infant; premature

Figure & Data

REFERENCES

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  

• Bundling gentle body massage along with regular position change under phototherapy among full-term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia: Is it effective?
  Zohour Ibrahim Rashwan, Rasha Mohamed Abohadida, Leena Mohammad Khonji, Seham El-Sayed Saleh
  Journal of Neonatal Nursing.2023; 29(3): 464.     CrossRef
• Examining the effectiveness of body massage on physical status of premature neonates and their mothers’ psychological status
  Mansoureh Mokaberian, Shamsollah Noripour, Mahmoud Sheikh, Paul J. Mills
  Early Child Development and Care.2022; 192(14): 2311.     CrossRef
• The Effect of Massage Stimulation on the General Movements Quality in Breastfed Preterm Infant
  Elizabeth Beatrice Jonathan, Ahmad Suryawan, Mira Irmawati
  Folia Medica Indonesiana.2021; 56(4): 302.     CrossRef
• The Effect of Foot Reflection Massage on the Reduction of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Premature Infants Under Non-Invasive Ventilation in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
  Neda Jamali Soltani, Akram Peyman, Tahere Ashk Torab, Kiyarash Saatchi, Neda Alimohamadi
  Avicenna Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Care.2021; 29(2): 113.     CrossRef
• Effect of a period of tactile kinetic stimulation on the motor development quotient of preterm neonates: 4-month follow-up
  Mansoureh Mokaberian, Mahmood Sheikh, Shamsollah Noripour
  Koomesh journal.2020; 22(4): 589.     CrossRef
• Effect of mother's infant massage on neonatal weight and perceived self-efficacy of mothers with low birth weight infants
  Somayeh Mousavi, Shahnaz Rostami, Hamid Haghani, Leili Borimnejad
  Koomesh journal.2020; 22(2): 237.     CrossRef
• Efectos del masaje terapéutico sobre la ansiedad y el estrés en población pediátrica
  María Eugenia Serrano-Gómez, María Camila Moreno-Pérez, Maritza Alejandra Gaitán-Montero, Adriana Marcela Susa-Angarita, Jessica Gómez-Henao, Ginna Paola Suárez-Delgado, Katherin Sánchez Méndez
  Revista de la Facultad de Medicina.2018; 66(3): 357.     CrossRef
• Massage Improves Growth Quality by Decreasing Body Fat Deposition in Male Preterm Infants
  Laurie J. Moyer-Mileur, Shannon Haley, Hillarie Slater, Joanna Beachy, Sandra L. Smith
  The Journal of Pediatrics.2013; 162(3): 490.     CrossRef
• Acute effects of Yakson and Gentle Human Touch on the behavioral state of preterm infants
  Hyesang Im, Eunjung Kim, Kevin C. Cain
  Journal of Child Health Care.2009; 13(3): 212.     CrossRef
• Spädbarnsmassage — en litteraturöversikt
  Pernilla Garmy
  Nordic Journal of Nursing Research.2007; 27(2): 30.     CrossRef