Effect of Gentle Human Touch and Field Massage on Urine Cortisol Level in Premature Infants: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial.

Abstract

Abstract : Background and Aim: Hospitalization in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit made many stresses for premature infants and disrupt their development. Since, premature infants cannot properly process stressors, identify interventions that reduce the stress level for them is necessary. So, the aim of present study was to compare the effects of Field massage and Gentle Human Touch (GHT) techniques on the urine level of cortisol, as an indicator of stress, in preterm infants. Materials and Methods: This randomized, controlled clinical trial was carried out in Tabriz Al-Zahra hospital. Premature infants were assigned randomly into three groups. First groups were touched by their mothers three times a day (15 minutes sessions) for 5 days by GHT technique. The second group was received 15 minutes Field massage for 5 days and three times a day by their mothers with sunflower oil. The third group received routine care. In all groups, 24-hours urine samples were collected in the first and sixth day after the intervention and analyzed for cortisol level. Results: There were significant differences between mean of changes of cortisol between GHT and control groups and Field massage and control groups (p<0.05). But between levels of stress hormones in the sixth day compared to first day in the field massage group and touch group statistical difference was not found between before and after intervention (P>0.05). In the control group had increased cortisol sixth day and this difference was significant p=0.04 Conclusion: However, in this study between the before and after groups of cortisol in the field of massage and touch does not show a statistically significant difference, but in the control group had increased cortisol and this represents a safety routine massage and touch field was quiet. Soboth as a developmental intervention is recommended