Effect of Massage on Increasing Growth Parameters and Inducing Sleep among Premature Neonates

Bahig Anwr, Doaa; Mostafa Abd Elzaher Mohamed, Omima; Mohamed Ahmed Ayed, Manal

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2020.146733

Effect of Massage on Increasing Growth Parameters and Inducing Sleep among Premature Neonates

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Aswan University, Egypt

² Lecturer of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, South Valley University, Egypt

³ Assistant professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University, Egypt

10.21608/ejhc.2020.146733

Abstract

Massage therapy can be used in neonatal intensive care units for premature infants
<37 weeks of gestation, which increase growth parameters with no harmful effects
and help inducing sleep. Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of massage
on increasing growth parameters and inducing sleep among premature neonates.
Subjects and method: A quasi-experimental research design was used on a
purposive sample of 50 LBW premature neonates and their mothers who were
admitted to NICU at Sohag University Hospital, Egypt, from August 2019, until
January 2020. Premature neonates were randomly assigned into two groups with
and without massage. Tools: Tool (I): A structured questionnaire was developed
and consisted of two parts: part (1): Demographic characteristics of mothers of
premature neonates, part (2): Demographic characteristics of premature neonates,
Tool (II): Assessment of growth parameters, and Tool (III): Assessment of sleep < /div>
behaviors before the intervention, after seven days and after one month of
discharge. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the
mean of weight, length, and head circumference in the two groups before massage
intervention. The majority of premature neonates in the intervention group had
increased their growth parameters after seven days from the application of massage
and after one month of discharge compared to those in the control group.
Conclusion: massage was an effective and safe non-medical intervention used in
improving growth parameters and sleeps behaviors and help premature neonates
fall asleep faster after the massage than without massage. Recommendations:
Massage should be involved in routine care in a neonatal intensive care unit
(NICU), as standard care for premature neonates, health educational programs
about massage and its effect should be taught to health care professional, especially
pediatric nurses.

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