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Factors that predict which preterm infants benefit most from massage therapy
F A Scafidi1, T Field, S M Schanberg
1Department of Pediatrics, Touch Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33101.
Summary
Massage therapy significantly improved weight gain in preterm infants. Infants receiving massage therapy showed higher daily weight gain and a greater proportion of high weight gainers compared to the control group.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Infant development
- Complementary and alternative medicine
Background:
- Preterm infants often experience suboptimal weight gain.
- Massage therapy is explored as an intervention to improve infant outcomes.
- Understanding factors influencing weight gain in preterm infants is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of massage therapy on weight gain in preterm infants.
- To identify characteristics distinguishing high vs. low weight gainers in both massage and control groups.
- To determine predictors of significant benefit from massage therapy.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial involving 93 preterm infants.
- Intervention group received 15-minute massages three times daily for 10 days.
- Weight gain and pre-study characteristics were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Massage therapy infants gained significantly more weight per day (32g vs 29g).
- 70% of massage group were high weight gainers vs 40% in control group.
- Pre-study caloric intake, intermediate care duration, and obstetric complications predicted weight gain differently between groups.
Conclusions:
- Massage therapy is an effective intervention for enhancing weight gain in preterm infants.
- Specific pre-study factors can identify preterm infants most likely to benefit from massage therapy.
- These predictive variables can guide the selection of infants for future massage therapy programs.