Prematurity
Conditions
Keywords
preterm infants, massage, physical activity, weight gain, length of hospital stay, NICU
Brief summary
The purpose of this study was to determine whether massage with or without physical exercise impacted weight gain or length of hospital stay for premature infants.
Detailed description
Premature infants are often cared for in a fashion that minimizes physical activity in order to reduce stress and stress-related complications. Previous studies have indicated that massage therapy may increase weight gain and enabled earlier discharge of premature infants. In this study, premature infants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: A: Control Group B: Massage Group, 15 minutes twice a day; C: Massage and physical exercise group 15 minutes each, twice a day.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALMassage therapy without exercise
Infants will receive massage twice a day; 15 minutes each.
BEHAVIORALMassage therapy with exercise
Infants will receive massage with exercise twice a day; 15 minutes each.
Sponsors
George Washington University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
28 Weeks to 32 Weeks
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* low birth weight, less than 1500 grams * weight of at least 1000 grams at time of entry into study * must be at least one week of age * must have relative medical stability * gestational age between 28-32 weeks
Exclusion criteria
* infants with major congenital anomaly * those that require mechanical ventilatory support * those that are restricted in their movement or ability to undergo the intervention
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Average daily weight gain. Length of hospital stay | From birth until time of hospital discharge |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Effect on heart rate and respirations | Birth until time of hospital discharge |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed