EFFICACY OF A MASSAGE THERAPY PROGRAM ON MATERNAL-FILIAL ATTACHMENT IN HOSPITALIZED PRETERM INFANTS: QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
Abstract
Introduction. Prematurity is one of the great challenges currently facing Pediatric Nursing. Its socio-sanitary impact is very important: In addition to its high incidence (in Spain, 7.38% of deliveries take place before 37 completed weeks of gestation), preterm births are the main cause of death in neonates and a determinant factor of long-term morbidity. The need for the premature neonate to remain in an incubator difficulty establishing the bond and the development of maternal-filial attachment.
Objective. To assess the impact of a massage therapy protocol, applied by the parents of hospitalized premature newborns, on the degree of maternal-filial attachment.
Methodology. A prospective quasi-experimental study was designed. The preterm infants of the intervention group received daily, up to the time of hospital discharge, a daily 15-minute massage session. The control group received the usual medical care and nurses from the unit. Attachment was measured using the “Maternal Attachment Inventory”
Results. Statistically significant differences were found in the overall scores between the control group (n = 29, mean = 92.8, SD = 8.9) and the intervention group (n = 17, mean = 100.7, SD = 2.2 ) (p <0.001)
Conclusion. Massage therapy, applied by mothers, has a positive impact on the degree of attachment of these with their hospitalized premature children.
