PubMed · 1996 · 51 citations · 0 references
MedicineHuman DevelopmentPediatricsInfant HealthNeonatal HealthPreterm BirthCare Of Premature InfantsInfant DevelopmentNeonatal DevelopmentPreterm Infant CareRisk Factors For Preterm BirthTouch BehaviorMother-infant TouchPilot Study DesignPilot Study PlanningPilot Study Sample SizePrehension PatternsPrematurity EffectsTouch In Human Interaction
A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the effects of gentle human touch (GHT) provided for 15 minutes a day to preterm infants from day 7 to day 12 of life. The study suggested that GHT has no adverse effects on the oxygen saturation or heart rate levels of small preterm infants and that GHT has a soothing effect as evidenced by decreased levels of active sleep, motor activity, and behavioral distress. These results can provide NICU nurses with a basis for guiding parents in their early interactions with preterm infants in the NICU.