The Effect of Massage on Stress in Premature Babies

Investigation of the Effect of Massage on Stress Behaviors and Salivary Cortisol Levels in Premature Babies

The practices of the neonatal intensive care unit that reduce the stress of premature babies and respond to behavioral cues have a positive effect on the development of newborns. The stress experienced by premature infants affects the baby's behavior and laboratory findings. Massage is an effective application in facilitating the adaptation of premature babies to extrauterine life and ensuring that they are least affected by adverse environmental conditions. Massage in premature babies has an important place in reducing stress and supporting psychological, mental and physiological development as a healthy tactile stimulus.

This study was planned to examine the effects of massage on stress behaviors and salivary cortisol levels in premature infants. The research was planned on a randomized controlled experimental. In the research, the group to which massage will be procedure is the experimental group, and the group to which the swaddling procedure will be the control group will form.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Families being voluntary to participate in the study
• Babies being born between 30 and 36 weeks plus 6 days of gestation
• Postnatal 3-5. premature babies between days
• Not taking analgesics or sedatives
• Absence of congenital anomaly
• Absence of skin disease
• The premature babies passing to oral feeding
• Not having a proven sepsis diagnosis
• No need for mechanical ventilator support

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a congenital anomaly
• Presence of skin disease
• Having intracranial bleeding
• Having sepsis
• Receiving phototherapy
• Taking analgesic / sedative type drugs