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TAC-TIC therapy with premature infants: a series of investigative studies
1Dept. of Social Studies, Cork Institue of Technology, Ireland. aderoiste@cit.ie
Insights
Touching And Caressing-Tender In Caring (TAC-TIC) therapy enhances premature infant development, showing improved cognitive function and no harm to high-risk infants. Parents also reported positive experiences administering this gentle touch therapy.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Developmental psychology
- Infant health
Background:
- Premature infants face developmental challenges.
- Gentle touch therapy is explored as an intervention.
- TAC-TIC (Touching And Caressing-Tender In Caring) is a specific touch therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of TAC-TIC on premature infants.
- To assess both developmental and physiological outcomes.
- To examine infant behavioral responses and parental experiences.
Main Methods:
- A series of studies involving premature and low birthweight infants.
- Short-term and long-term follow-up assessments.
- Physiological measurements, behavioral observations, and parental reports.
Main Results:
- Enhanced mental development observed at 15 months.
- No physiological harm in high-risk ventilated infants.
- Infants showed motor responses; parents reported positive engagement.
- Potential benefits for neonatal cognitive performance and digestion.
Conclusions:
- TAC-TIC therapy appears safe and beneficial for premature infants.
- It may positively impact cognitive development and digestive health.
- Parental involvement in TAC-TIC is well-received and effective.
Abstract:
This article provides a synopsis of a series of studies exploring the effects of TAC-TIC (Touching And Caressing-Tender In Caring) therapy with premature infants. Study 1 looked at the short and long-term effects and found enhanced mental development in the stroked infants at 15 months. In study 2 the physiological effects of an abbreviated version of TAC-TIC with high-risk ventilated infants were examined and it was concluded that TAC-TIC exerted no harm to these vulnerable infants. The behavioural reactions of a sample of premature and low birthweight infants to TAC-TIC and parental responses to administering it were explored in study 3. The infants were found to respond predominantly with arm and leg movements to TAC-TIC while fathers and mothers reported enjoying performing TAC-TIC and elicited a similar pattern and frequency of behavioural reactions. In study 4 the question of whether TAC-TIC benefits preterm infant learning and/or sucking behaviour was investigated. The conclusion reached was that TAC-TIC may potentially benefit cognitive performance within the neonatal period and that this may be an early indicator of long-term cognitive gains reported by previous studies. Using a matched subjects design, study 5 explored the impact of TAC-TIC upon the digestive system by analysing gastric aspirates before and after TAC-TIC and a control period of time. It was concluded that TAC-TIC appeared to induce a more suitable stomach environment for digestion.
