Impact of oil massage on newborn behavioural responses in rural India

The initial weeks of a newborn's life are marked by rapid physiological and behavioural adjustments as the infant adapts to the external environment. This critical period necessitates attentive care, prompting exploration into traditional practices such as oil massage, which holds cultural significance and is believed to enhance neonatal well-being. Despite its prevalence, empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of oil massage remains limited. This study, conducted in a rural setting, aims to bridge traditional practices with evidence-based care, exploring the impact of oil massage on newborn behavioural responses. A quasi-experimental design involving 60 newborns (30 in each group) assessed behavioural responses through a pre and post-test approach. Results indicate a significant improvement in selected behavioural responses among newborns receiving oil massage, emphasizing its potential integration into routine care. The control group showed a pre-test mean of 14.83 (SD = 2.41) and a post-test mean of 16.23, while the experimental group exhibited a pre-test mean of 15.83 (SD = 1.80) and a post-test mean of 26.07. T-test values of 5.194 for the control group and 26.137 for the experimental group were indicative of statistically significant changes. The study contributes insights into neonatal care practices, urging further exploration of contextual intricacies and demographic influences on newborn behaviour.