Kinesthetic stimulation for preventing apnea in preterm infants

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D J Henderson-Smart1, D A Osborn

  • 1NSW Centre for Perinatal Health Services Research, Queen Elizabeth II Institute for Mothers and Infants, Building DO2, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 2006. dhs@mail.usyd.edu.au

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|May 5, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Prophylactic kinesthetic stimulation using oscillating mattresses does not reduce apnea or bradycardia in preterm infants. This intervention is not recommended for clinical practice or further research in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Recurrent apnea is prevalent in preterm infants, especially those born at very early gestational ages.
  • Apneic episodes can cause hypoxemia and bradycardia, potentially requiring resuscitation.
  • Physical stimulation is a common method to manage breathing, with kinesthetic stimulation (e.g., oscillating mattress) explored for apnea prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate if prophylactic kinesthetic stimulation reduces apnea and bradycardia in preterm infants at risk.
  • To determine the effect on the need for intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV).

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review was conducted using standard Neonatal Review Group search strategies.
  • Included randomized or quasi-random trials involving preterm infants at risk for clinical apnea.
  • Data were synthesized using relative risk, with separate author evaluation of trial quality and data extraction.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences were observed in short-term outcomes such as apnea/bradycardia events or use of IPPV.
  • No differences were found in intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), sleep/wake cycles, or neurological status at discharge.
  • Long-term effects on growth and development to one year also showed no differences in the single trial assessed.

Conclusions:

  • Prophylactic kinesthetic stimulation is not recommended for reducing apnea/bradycardia in preterm infants.
  • Current evidence does not support further research into the prophylactic use of kinesthetic stimulation for apnea prevention in this group.
Abstract

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