Newborns of depressed mothers who received moderate versus light pressure massage during pregnancy

Infant Behav Dev. 2006 Jan;29(1):54-8. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2005.07.004. Epub 2005 Oct 27.

Abstract

Sixty-four neonates (M age=6.8 days) of depressed mothers who received moderate pressure massage versus light pressure massage therapy during pregnancy (month 5 through month 8) were compared on their behaviors during 15-min observations and on their performance on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale. The group of neonates whose mothers received moderate pressure massage spent a greater percent of the observation time smiling and vocalizing, and they received better scores on the orientation, motor, excitability, and depression clusters of the Brazelton scale.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Depression / therapy*
  • Female
  • Habituation, Psychophysiologic
  • Humans
  • Infant Behavior*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Massage*
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Observer Variation
  • Orientation
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / psychology*
  • Reflex