Effects of Massage Therapy and Kinesitherapy to Develop Hospitalized Preterm Infant's Anthropometry: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of massage therapy and kinesitherapy on the anthropometric development of hospitalized preterm infants applied by parents.

Design And Methods: A prospective quasi-experimental study was designed. Hospitalized preterm infants received a daily 15-minute session of massage therapy and kinesitherapy. The control group received regular medical and nursing care.

Results: The massage therapy and kinesitherapy protocol significantly improved the anthropometric parameters studied: weight (895.7 ± 547.9 vs 541.8 ± 536.2; p < 0.001) size (5.5 ± 4.3 vs. 3.0 ± 3.1; p < 0.001) and head circumference (4.2 ± 3.2 vs 2.4 ± 2.6; p < 0.001).

Conclusions: The implementation of a massage therapy and kinesitherapy protocol is beneficial for the anthropometric development of hospitalized preterm infants.

Practice Implications: An easy to administer and cost-effective intervention such as massage therapy and kinesitherapy can improve the anthropometric development of preterm infants and reduce growth-related morbidity in the short, medium, and long term.