Infant massage as a component of developmental care: past, present, and future

The Effect of Educational Program for New Mothers about Infant Abdominal Massage and Foot Reflexology for Decreasing Colic at Najran City

As part of an emerging movement in complementary therapy, the practice of infant foot reflexology and abdominal massage is gaining widespread acceptance as a therapeutic approach to the relief of infantile colic. The objective of the current research is to offer an evaluation of knowledge, attitudes and practice amongst new mothers in relation to infant massage and reflexology. Specifically, the intention is to apply any insights gained to the establishment of appropriate educational programmes in line with the requirements of new mothers. This is to be achieved through the appraisal of any perceived improvements in the knowledge, attitudes and practices of new mothers following the completion of any programme. A quasi-experimental design is adopted in this research and applied in the setting of the outpatient clinic at the University Hospital in Najran, Saudi Arabia. A convenience sample, comprising sixty-two new mothers, all of whom have infants ranging in age from one month to four months. All the infants experience colic. The first instrument employed in this research comprises a structured interview wherein interviewees are presented with a two-part sheet. Section one is devoted to the obtaining of socio-demographic data regarding the mothers and the infants, whilst section two consists of a questionnaire devoted to gauging the level of knowledge of new mothers. The second research instrument is an observation checklist aimed at evaluating the practical skills of new mothers, whereas the third research tool employed in this study is a Likert scale which judges the attitudes of new mothers toward foot reflexology and abdominal massage. The findings of the research reveal that most new mothers demonstrated improvements to their attitudes, knowledge, and practice following the programme. Specifically, there was found to be statistically significant correlation between the age, educational level, and work experience of new mothers and their scores for attitudes, knowledge, and practices. Hence, it was possible to conclude that educational programmes for new mothers can augment their knowledge, refine their practices and improve their attitudes in respect of abdominal massage and foot reflexology as a means of treating colic in infants. Thus, the authors recommend that educational programmes constitute a significant means by which abdominal massage and foot reflexology can be promoted as a therapy for the treatment of colic.

Infant massage improves attitudes toward childbearing, maternal satisfaction and pleasure in parenting

The first year of motherhood is a period of growth and adaptation in women's lives with several challenges such as identifying the baby's needs and giving appropriate answers, so that mother and baby get to know each other and form a strong bond. Infant massage is one of the approaches that make an important contribution to the psychological and physiological wellbeing of both baby and mother, helping to form a harmonious relationship. This longitudinal study assessed the benefits of infant massage in the relationship between mother and baby, from birth to 12 months old. Comprising 194 dyads of mothers and their babies the subjects were divided into two groups of 97 dyads each. The Experimental group (EG) comprised mothers who undertook infant massage in a postnatal program with a physical therapist once a week. The Control group (CG) comprised mothers who did not attend any postnatal program and did not perform infant massage. Self-reported measures of attitudes concerning motherhood (CAQ-P), experience associated to motherhood (WBPB), parental satisfaction (PSS) and maternal separation anxiety (MSAS) were evaluated. Results showed that mothers in the experimental group were better adapted to motherhood, had greater confidence in their abilities and received more support from their mothers and husbands than mothers in the control group and were therefore more confident in their abilities. The EG group experienced a stronger relationship with their babies and described it as more positive than mothers in the control group. This longitudinal study suggests that mothers who learned how to perform infant massage had more positive attitudes towards the experience of motherhood in helping to increase the level of knowledge, regulation and proximity in the dyad. These findings can in turn help mothers to develop strategies that enable them to better cope with motherhood.

The effects of massage therapy on physical growth and gastrointestinal function in premature infants: A pilot study

To promote the growth and development of premature infants, effective and tender care is required in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The purpose of this study was to test the potential effects of massage therapy on increasing physical growth and promoting gastrointestinal function in premature infants. Twenty subjects were divided into two groups in the NICU of one general hospital located in South Korea. The experimental group (n = 10) were given massage therapy and the control group (n = 10) received routine care. Massage therapy was performed twice daily for 14 days, for 15 minutes per session. In the physical growth, height and chest circumference were significantly increased in the experimental group. In assessing gastrointestinal function, frequency of pre-feed gastric residual was significantly decreased and numbers of bowel movements were significantly increased in the experimental group. This study showed massage therapy has the potential effects on increasing physical growth and gastrointestinal function in premature infants. The massage in the NICU might be utilized as a part of developmental care, but more research needs to be done. NICU nurses need to be trained in massage therapy techniques to provide more effective clinical care for premature infants.

Skin to skin interactions. Does the infant massage improve the couple functioning?

Transition to parenthood is a critical stage of life due to several changes the couple has to handle. A large body of studies described how transition to parenthood can be linked to the onset of depressive symptoms, as well as the perception of a low social support, and an increased stress, representing a risk for the early mother-baby relationship. Infant massage (IM) emerged as a helpful tool to improve maternal skills in interacting with the baby, and leading toward a decreasing of post-partum symptoms. However, a growing body of literature highlights that men also may experience post-partum diseases, representing an additional risk for the development of the baby. To date, no study observed the impact of the IM on both partners. The aim of the current qualitative research is to observe the impact of the IM on a single couple of parents at childbirth. Pre (Time 1) and post-intervention (Time 3) procedure has been established to observe the changes occurring over the time in the couple. In particular, each member of the couple filled out the EPDS, the BDI-II, the MSPSS, and the PSI-SF both at Time 1 and at Time 3. The treatment (Time 2) was represented by the IM training, and lasted 4 weeks. Findings revealed a decrease in depressive symptoms in both partners, as well as an improvement of their perception of stress related to parental role. No changes has been detected with respect to the perception of social support. The IM seems to be a helpful approach to prevent the establishment of pathological conditions in new parents. Although no direct measures on the child were used, the current qualitative data seem to suggest that the IM may represent a valuable tool to prevent the onset of early negative outcomes of the baby. Further investigations and empirical data are needed to improve the knowledge in this field.

Sensorimotor interventions improve growth and motor function in preterm infants

PURPOSE

To assess the effect of an oral (O+O), a tactile/kinesthetic (T/K+T/K), and a combined (O+T/K) intervention on preterm infants' weight gain and motor function and to determine whether the combined O+T/K intervention has an additive/synergistic effect on outcomes.

DESIGN/SAMPLE

Seventy-five preterm infants were randomized into an O+O intervention consisting of oral stimulation, a T/K+T/K intervention involving whole body stimulation, an O+T/K intervention, and a control group. Interventions were administered for 15 minutes, twice a day, for ten days.

OUTCOMES

Weight gain, motor function.

RESULTS

The O+O and T/K+T/K groups had greater weight gain during the intervention period than did controls (p ≤.025). The T/K+T/K and O+T/K groups had better motor function than did controls (p ≤.017).

CONCLUSION

Single and combined interventions improved growth and motor function. The combined intervention, because of the shorter duration of each modality, did not lead to additive/synergistic effects, suggesting that the duration of the sensorimotor input is as important as its target in achieving defined outcomes.

[Effectiveness of the application of therapeutic touch on weight, complications, and length of hospital stay in preterm newborns attended in a neonatal unit]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of therapeutic touch on weight, the presence of postnatal complications, and length of hospital stay in preterm newborns, as well as on parental satisfaction with the care provided.

METHOD

We performed an experimental study in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Virgen Macarena University Hospital in Seville (Spain). Seventy eight premature neonates were randomly assigned to one of the comparison groups (39 in the control group and 39 in the experimental group). The outcome variables of weight, length of hospital stay, the presence of complications, and parental satisfaction were evaluated. Control variables related to maternal socio-demographic and clinic characteristics were also measured. The intervention was based on the application of therapeutic touch.

RESULTS

The mean weight in grams was 1,867.80 (SD=149.72) in the experimental group and 1,860 (SD=181.92) in the control group (t=0.148; p=0.883). Length of hospital stay was 16.82 (SD=6.47) in the experimental group and 20.30 (SD=8.04) in the control group (t=2.100; p=0.039). Complications developed in 5.3% of the premature neonates in the experimental group and in 20% of those in the control group (chi(2)=3.78; p=0.049). The odds ratio for developing complications was 1.673 (CI 1.089-2.571).

CONCLUSIONS

The application of therapeutic touch reduces the length of hospital stay and the presence of complications. Nevertheless, further research in larger samples is required.

The development of potentially better practices to support the neurodevelopment of infants in the NICU

OBJECTIVE

To review the existing evidence used to identify potentially better care practices that support newborn brain development.

STUDY DESIGN

Literature review.

RESULT

Sixteen potentially better practices are identified and grouped into two operational clinical bundles based upon timing for recommended implementation.

CONCLUSION

Existing evidence supports the implementation of selected care practices that potentially may support newborn brain development.