Randomised controlled trial of swaddling versus massage in the management of excessive crying in infants with cerebral injuries.

BACKGROUND Infants with neonatal cerebral insults are susceptible to excessive crying as a result of difficulties with self-regulation. AIMS To compare the effectiveness of swaddling versus massage therapy in the management of excessive crying of infants with cerebral insults. METHODS Randomised three-week parallel comparison of the efficacy of two intervention methods. Infants with symptoms of troublesome crying and their parents were randomly assigned to a swaddling intervention group (n = 13) or a massage intervention group (n = 12). RESULTS The amount of total daily crying decreased significantly in the swaddling group, but did not decrease significantly in the massage group. Infant behavioural profiles and maternal anxiety levels improved significantly in the swaddling group post-intervention. Parents in the swaddling group were more satisfied with the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing crying than parents in the massage group. CONCLUSION Results indicate that swaddling may be more effective than massage intervention in reducing crying in infants with cerebral injuries.