Massage Therapy Alongside Kangaroo Mother Care on the Growth of Premature Newborns

Background Infant massage is a common practice among the caregivers in our society. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is a proven contributor for survival of premature newborn. Objective To investigate the effect of massage therapy along with KMC on the growth of the premature newborns. Methodology This randomized study was conducted in the department of Neonatology in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University over a period of 15 months. A total 122 newborns having birth weight < 2000 g and gestational age < 34 weeks were enroled. Newborns were divided into KMC group and intervention group (KMC plus massage therapy). The growth parameters (weight, length and OFC) were assessed. Result The mean gestational age and birth weight was 33.08 ± 1.15 weeks, 1617.87 ± 256.60 g in the KMC group and 31.81 ± 1.62 weeks and 1401 ± 259.54 g in the intervention group. Mean weight gain per kg body weight per day in KMC group was 6.18 ± 11.84 g, which was 13.34 ± 10.20 g in the intervention group ( p = 0.01). The mean increase in length (0.66 ± 0.49 cm vs. 0.95 ± 0.62 cm), and mean increase in OFC (0.42 ± 0.33 cm vs. 0.59 ± 0.29 cm) was also statistically significant in the intervention group; p = 0.04 and 0.03 respectively. Newborns in the intervention group could be discharged earlier than the KMC group, the mean hospital stay was 6.36 ± 3.52 days in KMC group and 8.33 ± 2.39 days in the intervention group ( p = 0.01). Conclusion Massage therapy potentiates benefits of KMC among premature newborns.