The objective of this study was to examine the application of moderate-pressure massage and kinesthetic stimulation versus light-pressure massage and kinesthetic stimulation on preterm infant behavioral states, heart rate/vagal tone, and weight. Preterm infants (n = 68; M gestational age = 30 weeks) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were randomly assigned to a moderate- or light-pressure massage therapy plus kinesthetic stimulation condition, receiving massages three times per day for 15 minutes each for 5 consecutive days. Infants who received moderate-pressure massage therapy demonstrated significant improvements in behavioral states (e.g., active sleep, fussing, crying, movement, stress behavior), deep sleep, heart rate/vagal tone, and weight gain compared to the light-pressure massage therapy group. Overall, the data indicate that providing moderate-pressure massage therapy and kinesthetic stimulation has the potential to improve outcomes for stable preterm infants in the NICU.

No abstract