The Effects of Infant Massage Therapy on Preterm Neonatal Outcomes: A Clinical Trial

Background: Preterm infants are at risk of impaired growth and prolonged hospitalization due to their immature organ systems and treatment complications. Infant massage therapy, as a nonpharmacological intervention, has been recognized as a potential strategy to mitigate these challenges. This study is aimed at evaluating the efficacy of infant massage therapy in comparison to standard care. Method: Participants were allocated into two groups: the intervention group (infants who received massage therapy) and the control group (infants who received standard care). Inclusion criteria were newborn infants with a postmenstrual age (PMA) of 30-36 + 6 weeks and a body weight of ≥ 1500 g. Infants with congenital anomalies, such as heart disease, congestive heart failure, lung and airway anomalies, other congenital anomalies, endotracheal intubation, and unstable vital signs, were excluded. The intervention group received massage therapy for 14 consecutive days, with sessions lasting 15 min each. Metrics for growth and length of hospital stay were collected. Results: Infants born with very low birth weight (VLBW) who received massage therapy exhibited significant weight gain, with an average increase of 63.04 g per day (95% confidence interval (CI): 11.72-114.35), significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.02). Additionally, the duration from birth to achieving full feeding was significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group, with durations of 18.75 (± 10.86) and 41.88 (± 23.09) days, respectively (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Infant massage therapy significantly enhances weight gain and reduces the time to achieve full feeding in VLBW preterm infants. Moderate-pressure massage is recommended for stable VLBW infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).