PURPOSE
This study was done to investigate the effects of a massage program on the growth of premature infants and on the mothers' confidence and satisfaction in the mothering role.
METHODS
The participants were 29 mothers of premature infants hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit at CNU Hospital (14 in the massage program group and 15 in control group). Massage was done for 10-15 minutes, 2-3 times a day for 4 weeks. The data were using the SAS PC+ program.
RESULT
Significant differences were found in the ratios of weight gain (Z=2.24, p=.013), grow in length (Z=2.50, p=.006) and increase in head circumference (Z=1.91, p=.028) between the massage program group and the control group.
Confidence in the mothering role was significantly higher for mothers in the massage program group compared to those in the control group (Z=2.69, p=.004), but there was no significant difference in satisfaction with the mothering role between the two groups (Z=.88, p=.191).
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that the massage program enhances growth of premature infants as well as enhancing the mother's confidence in her role as mother. Therefore, the massage program for premature infants can be use as an effective nursing intervention.
