https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5113-782X
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ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of providing massage (tactile and kinesthetic stimulation) on behavioural responses for preterm infants.
Background: These infants have immature central nervous systems. Sleep–wake states during infancy have been shown to reflect severity of disease developments, and the nervous system and brain maturation.
Methods: This study is a quasi-experimental study with before and after design conducted on 45 preterm infants who were admitted in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The subjects received massage 15 min per day for 5 days using field massage technique. Behavioural responses were measured by behavioural state, motor activity and behavioural distress. Data were obtained 10 min before and 10 min after the providing massage period.
Results: An increase was observed in sleep state score after providing massage. And also, the awake, fidgeting and motor activity scores reduced after providing massage. No significant change was seen in the total behavioural distress.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that providing field massage had soothing and calming effect on preterm infants and could be beneficial in nursing intervention. Nurses working in neonatal intensive care unit need to be educated on how to performing the massage on preterm infants.
Abbreviation: NICU: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Acknowledgements
The authors appreciate the mothers, administration and staff of the neonatal intensive care unit, neonatal massage therapists, physiotherapists and other therapists of Afzalipour Hospital who helped us in this study and also the parents of the preterm infants for their cooperation.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Ethical approval
Authors stated material of this study is original, has not been previously published and has not been submitted for publication elsewhere. This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Kerman University of Medical Science.