Effect of Massage on Body Mass Index and Head Circumference in Healthy Neonates

Aims: Several methods have been proposed to improve growth in neonates, including touch and massage therapy. However, there are conflicting results about the effect of massage. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of massage therapy on body mass and head circumference indices of healthy infants and by gender. Materials Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 60 healthy infants were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly stratified with blocks of 4 in two groups of 30, including experimental and control groups (17 boys and 13 girls in each group). Experimental group neonates were given tactile-motor stimulation by their mothers at home for 15 minutes and twice a day, before feeding, for 4 consecutive weeks. Infants’ growth indices were recorded at birth, at the end of the 14th and 28th day. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using independent t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, and chi-square. Findings: In all the neonates, the body mass index increased from 12.37±0.81kg/m2 to 14.61±0.98kg/m2 in the intervention group and from 13.19±1.16kg/m2 to 15.22±1.03kg/m2 in the control group. The head circumference in the intervention group improved from 34.66±1.19cm at birth to 37.30±970cm at 28 day, and in the control group it increased from 34.50±1.57cm at birth to 36.81±1.41cm at 28 days. However, the differences in none of these indicators were significant (p 0.05). Conclusion: Massage with the method of tactile movements in general and based on gender did not improve the body mass index and head circumference of healthy babies.