The effect of massage applied to preterm infants on growth and stress

The aim of this thesis is to exprementally investigate the effect of massage applied to preterm infants on growth and stress. While the population of the research is preterm infants at the neonatal intensive care unit of a Medicalpark Batman Hospital between January 2018 and February 2019, the sample is 60 preterm infants suitable for inclusion criteria. Research data was collected using Preterm Infant Information Form, Preterm Follow-up Form and Newborn Stress Scale. While massage was applied to the infants in the experimental group three times daily for 10 days, the control group received the usual care. Weight, length and head circumference of infants in both experimental and control group were measured by the researcher on 1., 5. and 10. days. In order to evaluate stess level of the massage applied infants, camera records of the infants were taken 15 minutes before and after the massage on 1., 5. and 10. days. Camera records of the infants in the control group were also taken at the same time with those in the experimental group. Camera records were watched and stress level of the infants were evaluated by two observers blind to the research. The data analyses were carried out using In-class Correlation, Frequency, Levene, Two-Way ANOVA for Mixed Measured, Repeated ANOVA tests. When the effect of massage on growth measurements in infants (weight, length and head circumference) is analyzed, it is observed that weight, length and head circumference of the infants in both experimental and control group increase as measurement days progressed. It is observed that this increase is bigger in massage group compared to control group and the difference between two groups were statistically significant (p<0.001). When the effect of massage on stress level of infants was analyzed, it is observed that while average scores of stress levels of infants in the massage group decrease in a statistically significant manner, average scores of stress levels of infants in the control group remain constant as measurement days progressed. Stress level of infants in the massage group is lower than those in the control group in a statistically significant manner (p<0.001). In accordance with the results of the thesis, it is concluded that massage application has positive effects on growth and stress levels of preterm infants. It is suggested that infant massage should be applied in neonatal intensive care units; massage should be part of infants' usual care in the post-discharge period; mothers should be trained and supported about infant massage. Keywords: Preterm ,Baby Massage, Newborn Stress Level