Comparing I LOVE U and field massages on weight and gastrointestinal function among NICU-admitted preterm infants: a clinical trial
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Golnoush Motamedi
Abstract
Objectives
Preterm infants often face multiple challenges due to immature organ systems. Given the clinical status of infants, massage can serve as a non-pharmaceutical intervention. This study evaluates the effects of I LOVE U and field massages on weight and gastrointestinal function in NICU-admitted preterm infants.
Methods
A controlled trial was conducted with 84 preterm infants. The infants were randomized into two intervention groups (I LOVE U and field massages) and a control group. The control group received routine care, while the intervention groups received routine care plus either I LOVE U or field massages. Massages were administered for 15 min twice daily before feeding for 5 days. Gastrointestinal variables were measured, including residual gastric volume, abdominal circumference, defecation frequency, and weight before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 22.
Results
The study findings revealed no significant differences in weight or gastrointestinal function indices among the groups over the study period.
Conclusions
The findings demonstrated that infants in the massage intervention group exhibited better weight status and lost less weight than the controls post-intervention. Moreover, the I LOVE U massage technique enhanced defecation in infants, suggesting better impacts on gastrointestinal factors. Further interventional studies, however, are recommended to explore the effects of this specific massage technique.
Trial registration
This trial was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials under Reg. NO. IRCT20221220056884N1.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank all managers, staff and nurses of hospitals affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences for their cooperation with this research.
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Research ethics: Ethical approval was secured from the Ethics Committee of Kerman University of Medical Sciences (approval code: IR.KMU.REC.1401.540). Stringent measures were implemented to safeguard participant confidentiality and anonymity. Moreover, the study protocol was prospectively registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20221220056884N1). State the appropriate information, including that the study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013).
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Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study, or their legal guardians or wards.
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Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
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Conflict of interest: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
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Research funding: None declared.
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Data availability: The raw data can be obtained on request from the corresponding author.
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