The purpose of this study was to determine whether massage with or without physical exercise impacted weight gain or length of hospital stay for premature infants.
Premature infants are often cared for in a fashion that minimizes physical activity in order to reduce stress and stress-related complications. Previous studies have indicated that massage therapy may increase weight gain and enabled earlier discharge of premature infants. In this study, premature infants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: A: Control Group B: Massage Group, 15 minutes twice a day; C: Massage and physical exercise group 15 minutes each, twice a day.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
60
Infants will receive massage twice a day; 15 minutes each.
Infants will receive massage with exercise twice a day; 15 minutes each.
George Washington University Hospital
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
Average daily weight gain. Length of hospital stay
Time frame: From birth until time of hospital discharge
Effect on heart rate and respirations
Time frame: Birth until time of hospital discharge
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