Influence of baby massage stimulation on the improvement of nutritional status, IGF-1, and cortisol level on undernourished infant

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to prove the effect of infant massage stimulation on the improvement of vagal activity and neurological effects (HPA axis) in infants with 6-12 months of nutrition including increased nutritional status, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and decreased cortisol.Method: The design method used for this study was a quasi-experimental with randomized pre-test and post-test control group design. Samples in this study were infants aged 6-12 with undernutrition status as many as 24 person as an intervention group (infant massage interventions and complementary feeding) and 24 people in the control group (provision of supplementary feeding). Infant massage interventions carried out for 3 months. Data collected included body weight, IGF-1 level, and Cortisol.Results: Effective infant massage improves nutritional status (p = 0.035) / (p≤0.05), increases IGF-1 levels (p = 0.002) or (p <0.05), and decreases cortisol levels (p = 0.022) / (p <0.05).Conclusion: Infant massage stimulation increases body weight, IGF-1 level, and reduces cortisol in undernourished infants aged 6-24 months. It is recommended for every mother to apply baby massage stimulation for alternative treatments to improve the nutritional status of infants who are undernourished.