Effect of massage therapy on preterm neonate's body temperature

Morbidity and mortality associated with hypothermia in preterm neonates can be averted through low-cost strategies.

The aim of this study was to examine effect of massage therapy on body temperature of preterm neonates

The study was performed in a quasi-experimental design, and was conducted on 72 preterm neonates in Western Kenya. The intervention received three massages per day, 15 minutes each time. Body temperature of the neonates was monitored and recorded before, during, and after each session. Meanwhile, the control group received routine care with temperature monitoring thrice a day.

The results showed that neonates who received massage had higher body temperature than the controls—on days 6 and 8. While neonates who were given massage elicited increases in the mean body temperature during and after the sessions.

Therefore, it was concluded that massage therapy helps preterm neonates by increasing their body temperature.

Source: African Health Sciences. 2021 Sep; 21(3): 1334–1339. doi: 10.4314/ahs.v21i3.44