Mothers’ experiences learning and performing infant massage—A qualitative study

Midtsund, Astrid Durdei; Litland, Astrid Synnove; Hjälmhult, Esther

doi:10.1111/jocn.14634

Cited by 15 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…We proposed an intensive family-centered approach, where the IM would be delivered by the parents at home, even by those living far from our clinical center, for 8 weeks. The choice that the IM intervention could be delivered directly by the parents is consistent with literature that underlines the importance of taking into account the parents' emotional status and the beneficial effects of massage on depression and anxiety symptoms, mainly in mothers after giving birth ( 29 , 30 , 32 , 67 ). Moreover, the home-based nature of this intervention has allowed the families to personalize the administration of the massage, albeit in the context of the instructions provided by the therapist regarding the duration and the frequency of the sessions.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Feasibility of Early Intervention Through Home-Based and Parent-Delivered Infant Massage in Infants at High Risk for Cerebral Palsy

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Infant massage (IM) can be considered an early intervention program that leads to the environmental enrichment framework. The effectiveness of IM to promote neurodevelopment in preterm infants has been proved, but studies on infants with early brain damage are still lacking. The main aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability and usability of IM, carried out by parents at home, on infants at high risk for Cerebral Palsy. An IM daily diary and an ad hoc questionnaire, called Infant Massage Questionnaire Parent-Infant Experiences (IMQPE), were developed. IMQPE consisted of a total of 30 questions, divided into 5 areas. The parents were trained to carry out the IM with a home-based course, conducted by an expert therapist. The intensive IM program was set according to a defined daily length of at least 20 min, with a frequency of at least 5 days per week for a total of 8 weeks. Data collection consisted in the selection of the variables around the characteristics, both of the infants and the mothers, IM dosage and frequency, different body parts of the infants involved and IMQPE scores. Variable selection was carried out by minimizing the Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC) over all possible variable subsets. Nineteen high-risk infants, aged 4.83 ± 1.22 months, received IM at home for 8 weeks. The massage was given by the infants' mothers with a mean daily session dose of 27.79 ± 7.88 min and a total of 21.04 ± 8.49 h. 89.74% and 100% of mothers performed the IM for the minimum daily dosage and the frequency recommended, respectively. All the families filled in the IMQPE, with a Total mean score of 79.59% and of 82.22% in General Information on IM, 76.30% in Infant's intervention-related changes, 76.85% in IM Suitability, 79.07% in Infant's acceptance and 83.52% in Time required for the training. Different best predictors in mothers and in infants have been found. These data provide evidence of the feasibility of performing IM at home on infants at high risk for CP. Study registration: www.clinicaltrial.com (NCT03211533 and NCT03234959).

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Feasibility of Early Intervention Through Home-Based and Parent-Delivered Infant Massage in Infants at High Risk for Cerebral Palsy

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, especially in younger children, the fear of strangers can overshadow the possible relaxing effect of the intervention 37 . Alternatively, we could turn to the parents, as suggested in recent studies 38‐41 . Parental involvement increases parents’ self‐confidence in their caregiving role and participation in their child's care process 40,42 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aromatherapy massage seems effective in critically ill children: an observational before‐after study

Heijden

O’Flaherty

Rosmalen

et al. 2022

Paediatric and Neonatal Pain

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Children treated in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) are at risk of distress and pain. This study investigated if aromatherapy massage can reduce children's distress and improve comfort. This observational before‐after study was performed in a 22‐bed PICU in Cape Town, South Africa. The aromatherapy massage consisted of soft massaging using the “M‐technique” and a 1% blend of essential oils of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), German Chamomile (Matricatia recutita) and Neroli (Citrus aurantium) mixed with a grapeseed carrier oil. All present children were eligible, except those who had recently returned, were asleep or deemed unstable. The primary outcome was distress measured with the COMFORT‐Behavior scale (COMFORT‐B). Secondary outcomes were heart rate, oxygen saturation (SatO2), the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)‐Anxiety and pain assessed by the NRS‐Pain scale. Outcomes variables were evaluated with Wilcoxon signed‐rank test and multiple regression analysis. The intervention was applied to 111 children, fifty‐one of whom (45.9%) were younger than three years old. The group median COMFORT‐B score before intervention was 15 (IQR 12–19), versus 10 (IQR 6–14) after intervention. Heart rate and NRS‐Anxiety were significantly lower after the intervention (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that interrupted massages were less effective than the uninterrupted massages. Parental presence did not influence the outcome variables. We did not find a significant change on the NRS‐Pain scale or for SatO2. Aromatherapy massage appears beneficial in reducing distress, as measured by the COMFORT‐B scale, heart rate and the NRS‐Anxiety scale, in critically ill children. Thus, the potential of aromatherapy in clinical practice deserves further consideration.

show abstract

“…Other sources of information were their mother/mother-in-law, social media, health facilities, community activities, neighbors, and television. The majority (15) practiced massage introduced by family members, but some (5) do not refer to what they are doing as infant massage. These, and the rest of the themes at baseline, are presented in Table 3.…”

Section: Baseline Perceptions and Experiences Of Mothers/ Caregiversmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Infant massage was "a relief, with an opportunity for emotional and physical connection with the baby." 15 Mothers' experiences include themes that were categorized as (1) appreciating the structure of the training, (2) providing self-esteem and self-confidence, (3) connecting with the baby, and (4) discovering the baby's presence. 15 It may be worth introducing infant massage to mothers/ caregivers in the community through public health centers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…15 Mothers' experiences include themes that were categorized as (1) appreciating the structure of the training, (2) providing self-esteem and self-confidence, (3) connecting with the baby, and (4) discovering the baby's presence. 15 It may be worth introducing infant massage to mothers/ caregivers in the community through public health centers. As with any health promotion activity, success lies in awareness, a favorable attitude, and positive experience among stakeholders.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Perceptions and Experiences of Infant Massage among Caregivers of Infants 2-6 Months Old Consulting at Two Public Health Centers in Quezon City, Philippines, Before and After Infant Massage Training

Cordero

Tolosa

Lubat³

et al. 2021

Acta Med Philipp

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background. The benefits of infant massage in hospital and community settings have been documented in literature: better weight gain of preterm and low birthweight infants, shortened hospital stay, slightly better scores on developmental tests, fewer postnatal complications, and effects on physical and mental health.Objectives. This study described the perceptions and experiences of infant massage among caregivers of infants 2-6 months old consulting in two public health centers in Quezon City before and after infant massage training. Methods. This qualitative study assessed perceptions and experiences at baseline and after infant massage training of mothers and caregivers taking care of infants 2-6 months old. Pre-training interviews were conducted, as well as immediately after, and seven days after training on infant massage delivered by the Philippine League of Government and Private Midwives, Inc. (PLGPMI). Training consisted of lectures and demonstrations, after which mothers/ caregivers gave their babies the massage under the trainer's supervision. Post-training interviews were conducted immediately after the training and seven days after. Responses to the interviews were transcribed. The transcripts and interview notes were analyzed independently by two research team members. Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) was done. Disagreements were settled by discussion.Results. The infant's mother was identified as the best person to perform infant massage. Infant massage was a new concept to many participants before the training. In general, the perception was positive. It was believed to promote the baby's physical development and bonding with the mother/caregiver. These same benefits were reported after the training. Post-training, all 11 participants who returned for follow-up interviews reported having massaged their babies at home. They were also able to describe the process and timing of massage as taught to them. The participants' responses centered on seven (7) identified themes, identified at baseline and after training: 1) general concepts of infant massage, 2) benefits of infant massage, 3) methodologies, materials, and considerations, 4) persons credible to perform infant massage, 5) application/performance of infant massage, 6) intentions and 7) infant massage as a public health measure.

show abstract

Mothers’ experiences learning and performing infant massage—A qualitative study

Abstract: Training of health professionals to provide infant massage to mothers in a Mamma Mia group or similar groups can be a low cost and efficient intervention in primary care.

Cited by 15 publications

References 32 publications

Feasibility of Early Intervention Through Home-Based and Parent-Delivered Infant Massage in Infants at High Risk for Cerebral Palsy

Feasibility of Early Intervention Through Home-Based and Parent-Delivered Infant Massage in Infants at High Risk for Cerebral Palsy

Aromatherapy massage seems effective in critically ill children: an observational before‐after study

Perceptions and Experiences of Infant Massage among Caregivers of Infants 2-6 Months Old Consulting at Two Public Health Centers in Quezon City, Philippines, Before and After Infant Massage Training

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About