Massage therapy for weight gain in preterm neonates: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Li-Chin Lu; Shao-Huan Lan; Yen-Ping Hsieh; Long-Yau Lin; Jong-Chen Chen; Shou-Jen Lan

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101168

Massage therapy for weight gain in preterm neonates: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2020 May:39:101168. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101168. Epub 2020 Apr 1.

Authors

Li-Chin Lu¹, Shao-Huan Lan², Yen-Ping Hsieh³, Long-Yau Lin⁴, Jong-Chen Chen⁵, Shou-Jen Lan⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Information Management, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Taiwan; School of Management, Putian University, China. Electronic address: jane90467@gmail.com.
² School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medical Technology, Putian University, China. Electronic address: shawnlan0713@gmail.com.
³ Department of Long Term Care, National Quemoy University, Taiwan. Electronic address: yenping2010@gmail.com.
⁴ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chung-Shan Medical University Hospital, Taiwan. Electronic address: xillin681113@gmail.com.
⁵ Department of Information Management, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Taiwan. Electronic address: jcchen@yuntech.edu.tw.
⁶ Department of Post-Baccalaureate Veterinary Medicine, Asia University, Taiwan. Electronic address: shoujenlan@gmail.com.

PMID: 32379694
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101168

Abstract

Objectives: Weight gain is the main criterion for hospital discharge. This study measured the effectiveness of treating preterm neonates with massage therapy.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Data sources: Web of Science, Ovid-Medline, CINAHL, ProQuest, and PubMed (up to July 24, 2018).

Study selection: Randomized controlled trials involving preterm infants with very-low-birth weight or low-birth-weight that examined the effect of massage therapy, and at least one outcome assessing infants' weight change or weight gain.

Results: Pooled effect estimate from 15 trials with 697 participants showed that massage therapy improved daily weight gain by 5.07 g/day (95% CI 2.19-7.94, p = 0.0005). More benefits were observed when preterm neonates received moderate pressure massage (5.60 g/day, 95% CI 2.64-8.56, p = 0.0002) than when receiving light-pressure therapy (1.08 g/day, 95% CI 0.29-1.86, p = 0.007).

Conclusions: Massage therapy is beneficial for preterm infant weight gain.

Keywords: Low birth weight; Massage therapy; Preterm neonates; Weight gain.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Female
Humans
Infant
Infant, Low Birth Weight / growth & development*
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature / growth & development*
Male
Massage / methods*
Mind-Body Therapies / methods*
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Weight Gain / physiology*