Tactile-kinesthetic stimulation effects on sympathetic and adrenocortical function in preterm infants

Kuhn, Cynthia M.; Schanberg, Saul M.; Field, Tiffany; Symanski, Robert; Zimmerman, Eugene; Scafidi, Frank; Roberts, James E.

doi:10.1016/s0022-3476(05)82059-1

Cited by 106 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…As in the rat pup model of MS, children with RADI exhibit slow growth rates, diminished secretion of GH, and impaired responsiveness to administered GH (Powell et al, 1967a, b;Frasier and Rallison, 1972). In turn, we found that premature babies given supplemental tactile stimulation while hospitalized showed greater weight gain , Scafidi et al, 1990, enhanced behavior, and more mature sympathoadrenal function (Kuhn et al, 1991), as compared to control groups who received standard nursery care but no additional tactile stimuli. Supplemental tactile stimulation not only proved beneficial for high-risk preterm babies, but also for full-term babies born to depressed mothers (Field et al, 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 48%

PKCα Mediates Maternal Touch Regulation of Growth-Related Gene Expression in Infant Rats

Schanberg

Ingledue

Lee

et al. 2002

Neuropsychopharmacol

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During short-term periods of separation of rat pups from their mothers, the loss of certain sensory signals suppresses the increase in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene expression induced by the growth-promoting hormones prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH). Here, we identify a molecular mechanism through which maternal separation (MS) curtails ODC expression. Our results demonstrate that the absence of specific tactile stimuli provided by the mother limits PRL-evoked stimulation of ODC biosynthesis by interfering with sn-1,2-diacylglycerol's (DAG) ability to activate protein kinase Ca (PKCa) and consequently c-myc mRNA and max mRNA expression. The proteins encoded by these proto-oncogenes function as direct transactivators of the ODC gene. As ODC activity is obligatory for normal cell replication and differentiation, PKCa activation by DAG represents an important control point at which 'nurturing touch' regulates growth and development of the neonate. Such a mechanism can explain the maladaptive consequences of disrupting mother-infant tactile interactions as occurs in isolated premature babies. Also, it could provide a basis for developing therapeutic interventions to maximize growth potential in children failing-to-thrive despite normal maternal care.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 48%

PKCα Mediates Maternal Touch Regulation of Growth-Related Gene Expression in Infant Rats

Schanberg

Ingledue

Lee

et al. 2002

Neuropsychopharmacol

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“…Kuhn et al 6 also reported that, following tactile-kinesthetic stimulation, the levels of urinary cortisol were high in pre-term babies. This demonstrated the relationship between the sympathetic nervous system and the effects of tactile-kinesthetic stimulation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…3,4 Although the effects of massage therapy on psychological maturation are not well known, the autonomous nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis are the mediators of its effects. [4][5][6] Assessing stress hormone levels (salivary cortisol) and/or neuropeptide pain levels (substance P) during stressful medical procedures could provide additional measurement of the effects of massage therapy as an adjunct to the standard management of seriously ill patients. 7 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This change apparently began to take place at night, with incomplete suppression of the axis at this time, thereby leading to raised cortisol levels in the mornings of the days with massage. Repeating the procedure, after a oneweek interval, higher cortisol levels were observed in the morning and in the afternoon.Kuhn et al 6 also reported that, following tactile-kinesthetic stimulation, the levels of urinary cortisol were high in pre-term babies. This demonstrated the relationship between the sympathetic nervous system and the effects of tactile-kinesthetic stimulation.…”

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confidence: 97%

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Salivary cortisol as an indicator of adrenocortical function in healthy infants, using massage therapy

et al. 2005

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE INTRODUCTIONThe practice of massage is a very ancient activity that spread out from the Orient.1 Over recent years, it has been presented in the West as an alternative therapeutic method that gives rise to certain proposed effects. Among the uses that have been put forward, there has been increasing development of techniques for its use on babies. One of the most widely-used of these massage techniques in the hospital environment in Brazil is Shantala, 2 which was brought from India by the French doctor Frédérick Leboyer. 1 Shantala massage is one of the oldest and most traditional therapies, especially in the Kerala region of southern India, where it first became widely used among the population. Initially, it was used by monks in monasteries, and subsequently it grew into a tradition that was transmitted naturally and progressively from mother to daughters, when they first became pregnant. In the 1960s, while visiting India, Leboyer observed a young woman serenely concentrating on massaging her baby while sitting on the floor with the child over her legs. 1 According to Mathai, the use of massage therapy on preterm and full-term babies was associated with weight gain and superior behavioral maturation using Brazelton's scale. 3,4 Although the effects of massage therapy on psychological maturation are not well known, the autonomous nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis are the mediators of its effects. [4][5][6] Assessing stress hormone levels (salivary cortisol) and/or neuropeptide pain levels (substance P) during stressful medical procedures could provide additional measurement of the effects of massage therapy as an adjunct to the standard management of seriously ill patients. 7 OBJECTIVEWith the possibility in mind that tactilekinesthetic stimulation could be used to diminish distress among hospitalized infants (e.g. in pediatric intensive care units), we evaluated the levels of salivary cortisol before and after Shantala massage therapy on healthy infants. Through this, we aimed to obtain information that could contribute towards understanding the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in relation to traumatic stress. PATIENTS AND METHODSThe effects of Shantala massage therapy on salivary cortisol levels were ascertained for 11 infants (4 females and 7 males), aged 4 to 6 months (median age: 5 months) who were regularly enrolled in a public nursery, in São Paulo, Brazil. The Ethics Committee of the university approved the protocol and the parents gave written consent for their child's participation (Protocol no. 033-01; Research Ethics Committee of Universidade Federal de São Paulo -Escola Paulista de Medicina).Saliva samples were obtained at three times during a single day: between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. and between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. at the nursery, and between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. at home. This was done on the day before the first massage session and after it. Saliva was collected (one hour prior to the massage), with due regard for the meal time...

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“…190 The variations in physiologic measures and behavioral observation are interesting in that massage may have a stimulatory effect on specific activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Kuhn et al 201 found an increase in urinary norepinephrine and epinephrine with unchanged urine dopamine, cortisol and serum growth hormone levels.…”

Section: Role Of Sleep In Brain Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2007

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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.

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Tactile-kinesthetic stimulation effects on sympathetic and adrenocortical function in preterm infants

Cited by 106 publications

References 30 publications

PKCα Mediates Maternal Touch Regulation of Growth-Related Gene Expression in Infant Rats

PKCα Mediates Maternal Touch Regulation of Growth-Related Gene Expression in Infant Rats

Salivary cortisol as an indicator of adrenocortical function in healthy infants, using massage therapy

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

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