A review of more than 30 studies on massage for preterm infants showed an overall trend toward weight gain and increased vagal tone among preterm infants who received massage therapy.
The review also noted a need for further research on other potential benefits of preterm infant massage, as well as the underlying mechanisms behind the weight gain associated with this intervention.
The study, “Review of randomized controlled trials of massage in preterm infants,” involved an analysis of 34 published randomized controlled trials on the effects of massage for preterm infants.
Preterm Infant Massage Outcome Measures
According to the review, the most common outcome measure in these studies was weight gain among the preterm infants.