The effect of parent-administered infant massage on the developmental outcomes of premature infants

Abstract

Introduction: Prematurely born infants often have developmental delays in multiple areas when compared to infants born at term. Neuro-developmental supportive care techniques such as Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) or infant massage have the potential to affect the infant's developmental outcome.  Evidence supports the benefits of parent-administered infant massage in terms of the premature infants' growth, weight gain and length of hospitalisation; however, the effect of infant massage on other aspects of development has not yet been established.

Method: A randomised controlled trial was used to investigate the developmental milestones of infants who received parent-administered infant massage.  The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales Second Edition (PDMS-2) test was used to assess infants at birth and again at four to six months (actual age) along with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Third Edition (BSID-III).

Results: Positive clinical effect sizes were shown in the massaged group in the Cognitive, Reflexes and Visual-Motor Integration subtests.  There was also a strong correlation between frequency of massage and the social-emotional development of the massaged infants.  Facilitators and barriers, in performing the infant massage programme, were established.

Conclusion:

This study supports the use of parent-administered infant massage for premature infants older than 32 weeks gestation to assist with the attainment of their developmental milestones as well as the parent-infant bonding process.