Background: Many studies have demonstrated that pre-term neonates gained more weight over the 10 days stimulation period. This research has been conducted to determine the effects of five days Tactile- Kinesthetic stimulation (TKS) on weight gaining of pre-term infants hospitalized in Fatemiye neonatal intensive care unit.
Methods: Fifty one babies who graduated from the NICU to the intermediate care nursery were randomly allocated into test and control groups (24 and 27 neonate respectively). TKS was provided for three 20 minute periods per day for five consecutive days to the test group, with the massages consisting of moderate pressure strokes in left and right lateral position and kinesthetic exercises consisting of flexion and extension of the limbs. They were observed for changes in physiologic parameters and weight gaining during five days stimulation in hospital.
Results: Over the five days TKS an increase in weight was seen in the test group (p=0.018, 43.1 vs 5.4). Infants in both the test and control groups were matched for mean weight before study and days in which they received antibiotics and photo therapy. Mean temperature and O² saturation had no meaningful difference, but an increase in respiratory rate (p=0.047, 32.9 vs 32.5) and heart rate (p<0.001, 148 vs 145.7) (within physiologic range) was seen in the test group during stimulation, so that no one excluded from study.
Conclusion: Tactile- Kinesthetic stimulation has no adverse effects on physiologic parameters, meanwhile has a beneficial effect on weight gaining in pre-term neonates, So touch and massage therapy which are both beneficial and cost effective could be placed in policy of care programs in nurseries in Iran.