Abstract
Background and Objectives: There are insufficient data on the beneficial effect of skin massage on physiological parameters in preterm infants. In this research we decided to examine the effects of massage on physiological parameters in premature infants.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 135 infants were entered and divided into 3 groups by using simple random method. The babies in the first group received 15 minutes of skin massage with olive oil for 10 days; second group of infants received the massage without use of oil. Infants in the third group did not receive any intervention, ten minutes after each intervention; infants' vital signs were recorded.
Results: The results showed a significant difference of respiratory rate in massage with olive oil group, compared with control groups (P<0.001). There was also a change of body temperature between both interventions groups with the control group (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that, preterm infants massage doesn’t have any negative effect on premature infant's physiologic parameters.