Gentle massage may soothe stress in preterm babies

A gentle massage can help soothe stress responses in preterm babies.

Newborn babies in intensive care units often experience stress from mechanical ventilation, medical procedures and maternal separation. Plus for a preemie, even a diaper change can be stressful since, born under-developed, they have immature autonomic nervous systems, which control stress response and recovery.

Researchers from the University of Louisville and the University of Utah, however, have found that massage therapy involving moderate pressure and stroking of the soft tissues, followed by flexing and extending the joints of the arms and legs, increased heart rate variability, which is a measure of the autonomic nervous system. This effect, however was found in only male, not female, preterm infants.

The team measured HRV during periods of sleep and caregiving immediately after massage therapy in 21 medically stable male and female preterm infants.

“We were surprised to learn the differences in the impact of massage therapy on preterm boys and girls,” said researcher Dr. Sandra Smith. “Boys who received massage therapy demonstrated increased heart rate variability, but the therapy did not seem to affect HRV in girls — perhaps there are hormonal reasons for this difference.”

The findings are published in the Journal of Perinatology. Access: http://www.nature.com/jp/journal/v33/n1/full/jp201247a.html

(AFP Relaxnews)

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Lara Bestbier

Writer. Creative. Word-nerd. Aspiring photographer. Old wife. Brand new member of the elite society called mommy-hood. Mom to the only drama queen more demanding than me. “Life’s too short to keep a straight face”.

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