"Massage therapy is older than recorded time and rubbing was the primary form of medicine until the pharmaceutical revolution in the 1940's. Popularised again as part of the alternative medicine movement massage therapy has recently received empirical support for facilitating growth, reducing pain, increasing alertness, diminishing depression and enhancing immune function" Field, T, (1998), American Psychologist, Vol 53.No.12, 1270-1281.
"Most of the data on the positive effects of infant massage come from studies on preterm infants who are no longer medically vulnerable but remain hospitalised in order to gain weight. During the last two decades a number of investigators have researched the effects of massage therapy on preterm newborn ... generally the results published have been positive. In a recent meta-analysis on 19 of these stimulation studies Ottenbacher et al estimated that 72% of infants receiving some form of tactile stimulation were positively affected. Most of these investigators reported greater weight gain and better performance on developmental tasks for the preterm infants receiving massage therapy." Field, T, Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Psychology, Touch Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
The language of babies has been explored for more than twenty years in the US by a scientific measure known as the Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale (NBAS), developed by the well-known paediatrician Dr T. Berry Brazelton, Harvard University. The scale helps parents to understand the subtle differences in newborns, such as irritability, their reflexes, how well they regulate themselves and alertness. The crying patterns of babies have been of particular interest to Prof. Dieter Wolke, University of Hertfordshire, who frequently uses the scale as a clinical and research tool. Hubbard, B, Natural Parent, January 1988.
Massage Therapy by Mothers Enhances the Adjustment of Circadian Rhythms to the Nocturnal Period in Full-term Infants. This study proved the importance of massage therapy received by mothers during the perinatal and early postnatal period to enhance the coordination of the developing circadian and neurobehavioral systems of the infant. The results of this research demonstrated for the first time a clear, long-term effect of massage therapy applied during the postnatal weeks of life on the phase adjustment of circadian rhythmicity at an older age, as indicated by the timing of nocturnal activity and melatonin excretion in the early stages of the infant's life. "Practitioners may be advised to instruct mothers to provide behavioural presleep massage treatment in early infant care, because the results strongly indicate that this may have long-term, beneficial effects on the development of properly phase-adjusted rhythmicity". Ferber, SG, Ph.D, Laudon M, Ph. D, Kuint J, M.D., Weller A, Ph.D, Zisapel N, Ph.D, December 2002, Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric, Vol.23(6), pp410-415
Studies also verifying positive effects of nurturing touch upon the healthy growth of infants and children are;
Massage for the Pre Term Baby,Field, T, S. Schanberg, S Scafidi, C Bower, N. Vega-Lahr, R. Garcia, J Nystron & CM Kuhn, Tactile/Kinesthetic Stimulation Effects on Preterm Neonates, Paediatrics, 1986, 77:5, pp654-658
Method
Babies were massaged while still in the incubators through the portholes.
Sessions of Tactile / Kinesthetic stimulation (K/S) are provided for 3,15 minute periods per day five days per week. for 10 days – no intervention weekends. The first about one hour after the morning feeding, the 2nd about ½ hour after mid-day feed and the 3rd about 45 minutes after the 2nd session.
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Each treatment consists of 5 mins of tactile stimulation ie (six 10 second strokes to the head , shoulders and back (no contact with the spine) arms and legs) followed by 5 mins of Kinesthetic stimulation (ie six 10-second). Passive extensions/flexions of each arm and leg, followed by six extensions/flexions for both legs simultaneously) and concluding with another five minute period of tactile stimulation.
Results
The treated infants compared with control infants gained 47% more weight and were hospitalised for six days less at a hospital cost saving of $10,000 per infant.
Norepinephrine and epinephrine levels increased in the massaged infants relative to the control infants.
At one year they were still showing a weight advantage and they also performed better on the Bayley scales of infant development. Studies have been replicated in Israel 1998 (Goldstein and Ferber) and Phillipines 1996 (Jinon). 45% weight gain. In Israel they used the mothers as the therapist, 31% weight gain. In addition the mothers experienced a decrease in depression.
Effects of Infant Massage on the Mother/Baby Relationship in Mothers with Post Natal Depression. 2000 Dr Katsuno Onozawa (main Research Worker) , Professor Vivette Glover Perinatal Psychobiology, Professor Channi Kumar (Perinatal Psychiatry.)
IAIM Certified Instructors. Cherry Bond Neonatal Nurse.MT., Alison Hodgkinson, Reflexologist, MT, Lowell Herbert Music Dip Ed.
Method
Massage demonstrated on doll, so that all reactions are shared between the parent/baby
The group is a place of support where no-one is judged. RELAXATION to begin. Allows the parent to unwind. Permission-. If baby indicates “no” then the massage does not begin.
Cues - Parents are taught cues and to adjust accordingly. Touch- is adjusted to the age of the baby. New babies often enjoy just being stroked through their clothing. An Integrated Approach, attending a massage class is a non-threatening and acceptable way of receiving help. Extra advantage- it helps a mother to understand her baby and how best to keep him or her happy.
Recruitment
1st time mothers with depression as per Edinburgh Post natal Depression Scale.
Method - Attend 5 weekly directed support groups.. 12 massage group and 13 in the control group completed the study.
Assessment
Primary assessment was by video.recording of interaction between mother and baby. Baseline depression score for both groups was the same.
Results
Primary score was video interaction. Initially all mothers scores were low, indicating poor interaction. Scores for mothers in the control group stayed the same for the trial period
The scores for the mothers who attended the massage groups improved dramatically.
Similar patterns were obtained for the mothers scores and infant’s behaviour, as judged independently.While the depression of control group mothers improved over the period, it was significantly greater in the massage group.
Conclusion
Although studies have shown that both counselling and drug treatment can improve mother’s depression, this is the first time that an improvement in mother- baby interaction has been established. This study suggests that massage classes of the type used here for women with postnatal depression have a potentially very important, acceptable and safe role in helping with this hitherto intractable problem. Plans - to follow this up with a year long study to see how long the benefits last.
Neonatal Bathing and Massage Intervention with Fathers - The Sunraysia Australia Intervention Project, Scholtz, K, and Samuels, C.A (1992), International Journal of Behavioural Development 15 (1), pp67-81. .
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Aim: Study the behavioural effects 12 weeks after the birth of the first baby.
Published
The hypothesis was that massage was a wonderful and effective bonding tool in the father – infant relationship.
Method
Study Group - Sixteen families with first borns, were instructed over a four week program in Baby Massage and the Burleigh Relaxation Bath Technique. Control Group, sixteen families.
The study over 12 weeks was a home observation in which fathers would give their infant a massage and follow on with a Burleigh Relaxation Bath. After a twelve week period the babies from the massage group greeted their fathers with more eye contact, smiling, vocalising, reaching and orienting responses and showed less avoidance behaviours, than the control group. These fathers also showed greater involvement with their infant. The results emphasise the benefits of having fathers learn infant massage with their children. Massage provides a wonderful time for bonding and attachment to develop between a father and his child.
It would be also beneficial for father to feel confident with their interaction with their baby and a tool of encouragement to give and receive unconditional love. Parent child massage throughout childhood and adolescence can provide a channel of tactile and emotional communication., vital during the inevitable troublesome and “silent’ phases of growth and development experienced by children and adolescents.
