Vagal Activity, Gastric Motility, and Weight Gain in Massaged Preterm Neonates

Diego, Miguel; Field, Tiffany; Hernandez‐Reif, Maria

doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2005.02.023

Cited by 191 publications

(185 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…17 Increased vagal activity inducing gastric motility has been demonstrated in infants exposed to M/KS. 18 Animal models of repeated exercise have revealed that there is an overall anabolic effect on body protein metabolism leading to somatic growth. 19 Improved bone mineralization and skeletal growth have been associated with programs of daily physical activity in preterm infants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Massage with kinesthetic stimulation improves weight gain in preterm infants

et al. 2009

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Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of massage with or without kinesthetic stimulation on weight gain and length of hospital stay in the preterm infant.Study Design: A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted evaluating the effects of massage with or without kinesthetic stimulation (KS) on weight gain and length of stay (LOS) in medically stable premature (<1500 g and/or p32 weeks gestational age) neonates. Infants were randomized either to receive no intervention (control), massage therapy alone (massage), or massage therapy with KS (M/KS). Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate differences in the primary outcomes between the groups after controlling for covariates. Post hoc analysis with stratification by birthweight (BW> and <1000 g) was also performed.Result: A total of 60 premature infants were recruited for this study; 20 infants in each group. Average daily weight gain and LOS were similar between the groups after controlling for covariates. For infants with BW>1000 g, average daily weight gain was increased in the intervention groups compared to control. This effect was mainly attributable to the M/KS group. Conclusion:Massage with KS is a relatively simple and inexpensive intervention that can improve weight gain in selected preterm infants. Length of hospital stay is not impacted by massage with or without KS. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of massage in the extremely low BW(<1000 g) infant.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Massage with kinesthetic stimulation improves weight gain in preterm infants

et al. 2009

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“…Behavioral states have not been compared for moderate versus light massage therapy. The decreased heart rate in the adult study just described ) and the increased vagal activity in the preterm infant study also just described (Diego et al, 2005) would suggest that more relaxed, less active states and lower arousal levels would be noted in the moderate pressure versus the light pressure massage therapy group. That is, less time in active aroused states, less stress behavior and lower heart rate would be expected for the moderate versus the light pressure group.…”

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confidence: 81%

“…Finally, in a study comparing preterm infants receiving moderate pressure massage therapy versus those receiving light pressure massage, the moderate pressure group gained more weight and showed increased vagal activity and gastric motility during and after treatment (Diego, Field & Hernandez-Reif 2005). Significant relations were noted between vagal activity, gastric motility and weight gain, but only for the moderate pressure massage therapy group.…”

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confidence: 97%

Moderate versus light pressure massage therapy leads to greater weight gain in preterm infants

Field

Diego

Hernandez‐Reif

et al. 2006

Infant Behavior and Development

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104

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Sixty-eight preterm infants (M GA=3Owks.) were randomly assigned to a moderate or to a light pressure massage therapy group to receive 15 massages 3 times per day for 5 days. Behavior state, stress behaviors and heart rate were recorded for 15 minutes before and during the first 15-minute therapy session. Weight gain was recorded over the 5 day therapy period. The moderate versus light pressure massage group gained significantly more weight per day. During the behavior observations the moderate versus light pressure massage group showed significantly lower increases from the presession to the session recording on: 1) active sleep; 2) fussing; 3) crying; 4) movement; and 5) stress behavior (hiccupping). They also showed a smaller decrease in deep sleep, a greater decrease in heart rate and a greater increase in vagal tone. Thus, the moderate pressure massage therapy group appeared to be more relaxed and less aroused than the light pressure massage group which may have contributed to the greater weight gain of the moderate pressure massage therapy group.

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“…Replication studies report similar massage benefits for preterm infants across the US, Asia and Europe (for a review see Field, Hernandez-Reif & Freedman, 2004). A recent mechanism study suggests that the weight gain observed in preterm infants who receive massage is related to increased vagal activity and greater gastric motility (Diego, Field & Hernandez-Reif, 2006), which are associated with parasympathetic nervous system activity and the attenuation of the stress response.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Preterm infants show reduced stress behaviors and activity after 5 days of massage therapy

Hernandez‐Reif

Diego

Field

2007

Infant Behavior and Development

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106

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Preterm infants residing in an NICU were randomly assigned to a massage therapy or to a control group. The preterm infants in the massage therapy group received three 15 minute massages each day for 5 consecutive days, with the massages consisting of moderate pressure stroking to the head, shoulders, back, arms and legs and kinesthetic exercises consisting of flexion and extension of the limbs. Infant stress behaviors and activity were recorded on the first and last day of the study. Preterm infants receiving massage therapy showed fewer stress behaviors and less activity from the first to the last day of the study. The findings suggest that massage has pacifying or stress reducing effects on preterm infants, which is noteworthy given that they experience numerous stressors during their hospitalization. KeywordsPreterm infants; massage; activity; stress behaviors Over two decades of research have shown that massaging stable preterm infants while residing in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) leads to greater weight gain and earlier discharge

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Vagal Activity, Gastric Motility, and Weight Gain in Massaged Preterm Neonates

Cited by 191 publications

References 18 publications

Massage with kinesthetic stimulation improves weight gain in preterm infants

Massage with kinesthetic stimulation improves weight gain in preterm infants

Moderate versus light pressure massage therapy leads to greater weight gain in preterm infants

Preterm infants show reduced stress behaviors and activity after 5 days of massage therapy

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