Comparing I LOVE U and field massages on weight and gastrointestinal function among NICU-admitted preterm infants: a clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES

Preterm infants often face multiple challenges due to immature organ systems. Given the clinical status of infants, massage can serve as a non-pharmaceutical intervention. This study evaluates the effects of I LOVE U and field massages on weight and gastrointestinal function in NICU-admitted preterm infants.

METHODS

A controlled trial was conducted with 84 preterm infants. The infants were randomized into two intervention groups (I LOVE U and field massages) and a control group. The control group received routine care, while the intervention groups received routine care plus either I LOVE U or field massages. Massages were administered for 15 min twice daily before feeding for 5 days. Gastrointestinal variables were measured, including residual gastric volume, abdominal circumference, defecation frequency, and weight before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 22.

RESULTS

The study findings revealed no significant differences in weight or gastrointestinal function indices among the groups over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings demonstrated that infants in the massage intervention group exhibited better weight status and lost less weight than the controls post-intervention. Moreover, the I LOVE U massage technique enhanced defecation in infants, suggesting better impacts on gastrointestinal factors. Further interventional studies, however, are recommended to explore the effects of this specific massage technique.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials under Reg. NO. IRCT20221220056884N1.