In this paper, preterm infant
massage therapy studies are reviewed.
Massage therapy has led to
weight gain in preterm infants when moderate pressure
massage was provided. In studies on passive movement of the limbs, preterm infants also gained significantly more weight, and their bone density also increased. Research on ways of delivering the
massage is also explored including using mothers versus therapists and the added effects of using
oils. The use of mothers as therapists was effective in at least one study. The use of
oils including
coconut oil and
safflower oil enhanced the average
weight gain, and the transcutaneous absorption of oil also increased
triglycerides. In addition, the use of synthetic oil increased vagal activity, which may indirectly contribute to
weight gain. The
weight gain was associated with shorter
hospital stays and, thereby, significant hospital cost savings. Despite these benefits, preterm infant
massage is only practiced in 38% of neonatal intensive care units. This may relate to the underlying mechanisms not being well understood. The increases noted in vagal activity, gastric motility,
insulin and
IGF-1 levels following moderate pressure
massage are potential underlying mechanisms. However, those variables combined do not explain all of the variance in
weight gain, highlighting the need for additional mechanism studies.