BACKGROUND: The method of "massage therapy" has consistently shown increased weight gain in preterm infants. The weight gain was apparent during massages administered by professionals. AIMS: To replicate the results of increased weight gain in the course of "massage therapy" in preterm infants, and utilize a new, cost-effective application of this method by comparing maternal to nonmaternal administration of the therapy. STUDY DESIGN: Random cluster design. SUBJECTS: The study comprised 57 healthy, preterm infants assigned to three groups: two treatment groups--one in which the mothers performed the massage, and the other in which a professional female figure unrelated to the infant administered the treatment. Both these groups were compared to a control group. RESULTS: Over the 10-day study period, the two treatment groups gained significantly more weight compared to the control group (291.3 and 311.3 vs. 225.5 g, respectively). Calorie intake/kg did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers are able to achieve the same effect size as that of trained professionals, allowing cost-effective application of the treatment within the neonatal intensive care unit.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: The method of "massage therapy" has consistently shown increased weight gain in preterm infants. The weight gain was apparent during massages administered by professionals. AIMS: To replicate the results of increased weight gain in the course of "massage therapy" in preterm infants, and utilize a new, cost-effective application of this method by comparing maternal to nonmaternal administration of the therapy. STUDY DESIGN: Random cluster design. SUBJECTS: The study comprised 57 healthy, preterm infants assigned to three groups: two treatment groups--one in which the mothers performed the massage, and the other in which a professional female figure unrelated to the infant administered the treatment. Both these groups were compared to a control group. RESULTS: Over the 10-day study period, the two treatment groups gained significantly more weight compared to the control group (291.3 and 311.3 vs. 225.5 g, respectively). Calorie intake/kg did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers are able to achieve the same effect size as that of trained professionals, allowing cost-effective application of the treatment within the neonatal intensive care unit.
Authors: Linda M Lambert; Felicia L Trachtenberg; Victoria L Pemberton; Janine Wood; Shelley Andreas; Robin Schlosser; Teresa Barnard; Kaitlyn Daniels; Ann T Harrington; Nicholas Dagincourt; Thomas A Miller Journal: Cardiol Young Date: 2017-03-23 Impact factor: 1.093
Authors: Gary L Darmstadt; Naila Z Khan; Summer Rosenstock; Humaira Muslima; Monowara Parveen; Wajeeha Mahmood; A S M Nawshad Uddin Ahmed; M A K Azad Chowdhury; Scott Zeger; Samir K Saha Journal: J Health Popul Nutr Date: 2021-05-26 Impact factor: 2.000
Authors: Karen Livingston; Shay Beider; Alexis J Kant; Constance C Gallardo; Michael H Joseph; Jeffrey I Gold Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2007-08-06 Impact factor: 2.629