Effects of tactile-kinesthetic stimulation on low birth weight neonates
Faranak Aliabadi1, Reihaneh K Askary
1School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Tactile-Kinesthetic Stimulation (TKS) improved motor skills and state regulation in low birth weight neonates. While weight gain showed no significant change, TKS demonstrated positive effects on behavioral development without adverse physiologic outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Development
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Behavioral Pediatrics
Background:
- Low Birth Weight (LBW) neonates face significant health challenges.
- Developmental interventions are crucial for LBW infants.
- Tactile-Kinesthetic Stimulation (TKS) is a potential intervention for promoting development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of Tactile-Kinesthetic Stimulation (TKS) on the physical and behavioral development of Low Birth Weight (LBW) neonates.
- To assess the efficacy of TKS as an intervention for LBW infants.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial with a parallel group design was conducted.
- Forty LBW neonates were randomized into a test group (n=20) receiving TKS and a control group (n=20).
- TKS involved three 15-minute sessions daily for 10 days, including massage and limb exercises. Physical growth and behavioral development were assessed using a weighing scale and the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment.
Main Results:
- A trend towards increased daily weight gain was observed in the TKS group, but it was not statistically significant.
- The test group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in motor skills (P<0.001) and regulation of state (P=0.039) as measured by the Brazelton scale.
- No adverse effects on physiologic parameters were noted.
Conclusions:
- Tactile-Kinesthetic Stimulation (TKS) positively influences the adaptive behavior of Low Birth Weight (LBW) neonates.
- TKS is a safe intervention for LBW infants, showing benefits in motor and state regulation development.
- TKS can be considered a valuable complementary intervention for promoting the development of LBW neonates.
Objective:
Low Birth Weight [LBW] (1500gr ≤ Birth Weight ≤ 2499 gr) is one of the most serious health problems in neonates. These neonates need complementary interventions (e.g. tactile-kinesthetic stimulation) to promote development. This study was conducted to determine the effect of Tactile-Kinesthetic Stimulation (TKS) on physical and behavioral development of Low Birth Weight neonates.
Methods:
This was a randomized controlled trial with equal randomization (1:1 for two groups) and parallel group design. Forty LBW neonates were randomly allocated into test (n = 20) and control (n = 20) groups. TKS was provided for three 15 minute periods per day for 10 consecutive days to the test group, with the massages consisting of moderate pressure strokes in supine and prone position and kinesthetic exercises consisting of flexion and extension of limbs. All measurements were taken before and after completion of the study with the same equipment (Philips electronic weighing scale with an accuracy of ±5 grams and Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment) and by the same person.
Findings:
There was a trend towards increased daily weight gain, but without statistical significance. On the Brazelton scale, the test group showed statistically significant improved scores on the 'motor' (P-value <0.001) and 'regulation of state' (P-value = 0.039) clusters after the 10 days TKS.
Conclusion:
TKS has no adverse effects on physiologic parameters and gives better adaptive behavior of LBW neonates compared to those without TKS.
