The Effects of Massage Therapy to Induce Sleep in Infants Born Preterm

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether massage therapy can be used as an adjunct intervention to induce sleep in infants born preterm. METHODS: Thirty infants born at a minimum of 28 weeks gestational age, who were at the time of the study between 32 and 48 weeks adjusted gestational age, were randomly assigned to receive massage therapy on 1 day and not receive massage on an alternate day. The Motionlogger Micro Sleep Watch Actigraph recorded lower extremity activity on the morning of each day. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between groups for sleep efficiency (P = .13) during the time period evaluated. Groups differed significantly during the time period after the massage ended with more infants sleeping on the nonmassage day (χ = 4.9802, P = .026). CONCLUSIONS: Massage is well tolerated in infants born preterm and infants do not fall asleep faster after massage than without massage.