The effect of massage on body mass index and head circumference of healthy neonates

Background: 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 was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of massage therapy on body mass and head circumference indicators of healthy infants and also according to gender. 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 intervention and control groups (17 boys and 13 girls in each group). Interventional 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. Growth indices of neonates were recorded at birth, end of 14th and 28th day using tape measure and scale by one person. Data was 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 ± 0.81 to 14.61 ± 0.98 in the intervention group and from 13.19 ± 1.16 to 15.22 ± 1.03 in the control group. The head circumference in the intervention group improved from 34.66 ± 1.19 at birth to 37.30 ± 970 at 28 day and in the control group it increased from 34.50±1.57 at birth to 36.81±1.41 at 28 days. However, the differences in none of these indicators were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Massage did not increase the body mass index and head circumference of neonates in general and according to gender. Considering the contradiction between the results of the present study and some studies, a study with a larger number of samples, more supervision and control over the massage intervention, and with a longer intervention and measurement time in healthy and sick infants is suggested.