PROTOCOL OF MASOTHERAPY AND KINESITHERAPY IN PREMATURE INFANTS

Abstract

Introduction: Research that has included somatic and kinesthetic stimulation protocols in preterm infants has concluded that these interventions are beneficial to fundamental aspects such as anthropometric development and neurological maturation. The objective of this study was to develop a protocol of somatic and kinesthetic stimulation, aimed at preterm infants, in order to be applied by parents during their clinical stay.

Method: A comprehensive search was performed including relevant articles between January 2007 and December 2016, using the following electronic databases: Medline, Science Direct, Cuiden, Scielo, Google Académico, Biblioteca Virtual de Salud y Cochrane Plus.

Results: A total of 26 articles, which met the inclusion criteria, were included in the review. Most of the studies showed beneficial effects on various anthropometric factors. Some studies also demonstrated improvement in neuromor development and reduction of hospital stay. After the review, a protocol of masotherapy and kinesitherapy, of fifteen minutes duration, was selected to be applied by the parents of preterm infants during their clinical phase.

Conclusions: The literature consulted has shown how the application of masotherapy and kinesitherapy in preterm infants, reduces hospitalization days, improves the gain of anthropometric parameters and favors neuromotor development. A triptych has been developed, including a protocol for masotherapy and kinesitherapy, aimed at the parents of hospitalized preterm infants.