Massage therapy by parents improves early growth and development
- 11 September 2004
- journal article
- Published by Elsevier BV in Infant Behavior and Development
- Vol. 27 (4), 435-442
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2004.03.004
Abstract
This study assessed the effects of moderate and light pressure massage on the growth and development of young infants. A recent study by Diego, Field, Sanders, and Hernandez-Reif (2004) showed that persons who were given moderate pressure massage, as compared with persons who received light massage or vibratory stimulation, experienced a decrease in heart rate, EEG changes associated with a relaxation response and positive affect, and the greatest decrease in stress. In the present study, mothers were instructed to massage their newborn infants once per day using either light or moderate pressure. The infants’ growth (i.e., weight, length, head circumference), sleep behavior, and performance on the Brazelton scale were assessed soon after birth and at one month of age. As compared to infants who received a light pressure massage, infants in the moderate pressure group gained more weight, were greater length, performed better on the orientation scale of the Brazelton, had lower Brazelton excitability and depression scores, and exhibited less agitated behavior during sleep.Keywords
This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit:
- MASSAGE THERAPY OF MODERATE AND LIGHT PRESSURE AND VIBRATOR EFFECTS ON EEG AND HEART RATEInternational Journal of Neuroscience, 2004
- Father‐infant Interactions are Enhanced by Massage TherapyEarly Child Development and Care, 2000
- Effect of physical activity on bone mineralization in premature infantsThe Journal of Pediatrics, 1995
- Neonatal Bathing and Massage Intervention with Fathers, Behavioural Effects 12 Weeks after Birth of the First Baby: The Sunraysia Australia Intervention ProjectInternational Journal of Behavioral Development, 1992
- Massage stimulates growth in preterm infants: A replicationInfant Behavior and Development, 1990
- Lap computer or on-line coding and data analysis for laboratory and field observationsInfant Behavior and Development, 1989
- The Effectiveness of Tactile Stimulation as a Form of Early InterventionJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 1987
- Anxiety states: A preliminary report on the value of connective tissue massageJournal of Psychosomatic Research, 1983
- Regional Obstetric Anesthesia and Newborn Behavior: A Reanalysis toward Synergistic EffectsChild Development, 1982
- STATE ORGANIZATION IN NEONATES: DEVELOPMENTAL INCONSISTENCY INDICATES RISK FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DYSFUNCTIONNeuropediatrics, 1981