Effectiveness of Tactile and Kinaesthetic Stimulation on Hyperbilirubinemia: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is common among newborns, often necessitating hospitalisation and posing a risk of neural complications. Phototherapy, commonly used to treat hyperbilirubinemia, also has side effects, including eye and genital harm, dehydration, diarrhoea, and bronze baby syndrome. Therefore, there is a need to find alternatives or reduce treatment duration. Aim: To investigate the efficacy of tactile and kinaesthetic stimulation as adjunctive therapies with phototherapy for reducing bilirubin levels in preterm neonates with hyperbilirubinemia. Materials and Methods: A randomised controlled feasibility study, including 12 preterm neonates with hyperbilirubinemia, was conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Mullana, Ambala, India. The experimental group (n=6) received three sessions of tactile and kinaesthetic stimulation for 15 minutes per session alongside phototherapy, compared to a control group (n=6) receiving phototherapy alone for three days. Results: While no significant differences (p>0.05) in demographics of neonates were observed, both groups experienced significant reductions (p<0.001) in Total Serum Bilirubin (TSB) and Transcutaneous Bilirubin (TCB) levels, with change scores of 7.88±2.29 (TSB experimental), 7.84±2.85 (TSB control), 6.63±2.77 (TCB experimental), and 6.27±1.92 (TCB control). However, the change in mean levels of TSB and TCB was not significantly different when compared between the two groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: There were significant reductions in TSB and TCB levels from Day 1 to Day 3 within each group. Both interventions were equally effective in reducing the bilirubin levels in the neonates.