Purpose
The aim of this study was to determine if massage therapy can be used as an
adjunct intervention to induce sleep in infants born preterm.
Methods
Thirty infants born at a minimum of 28 weeks gestational age (GA), who were at
the time of the study between 32-48 weeks adjusted GA, were randomly assigned to receive
massage therapy on 1 day and not receive massage on an alternate day. The
Motionlogger® Micro Sleep Watch® Actigraph recorded lower extremity
activity on the morning of each day.
Results
No significant difference was found between groups for sleep efficiency
(P=.13) for the time period evaluated. Groups differed significantly
during the time period after the massage ended with more infants sleeping on the
non-massage day (Χ2= 4.9802,
P=.026).
Conclusions
Massage is well tolerated in infants born preterm and infants do not fall
asleep faster after massage than without massage.
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