The Effects of Infant Massage on Maternal Distress: A Systematic Review

Michael Galanakis,George P Chrousos,Georgios Tsitsanis,Eleftheria Ntaouti

doi:10.4236/psych.2015.616204

Michael Galanakis, George P Chrousos + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2015.616204

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Abstract

Massage therapy is one of the oldest touch therapies, and it has been used for many conditions. We have systematically reviewed articles on infant massage to evaluate its effects on maternal distress, and also on mother-infant relationship. Infant massage has been known to benefit mothers and infants regarding several health variables such as depression, parenting stress, weight gain for the infant, hormones and anxiety as well as functionality of the immunity system. However, tactile-only stimulation must be distinguished from multisensory interventions that include a tactile component, for tactile-only stimulation without social contact is associated with higher levels of stress, and it is also overstimulating for infants. The significance of this systematic review lies in the important role of massage therapy in human health, as it highlights a crucial yet often underestimated effect in psychological and biosomatical variables.

Highlights

Massage therapy is one of the oldest touch therapies; it has been variously used for many conditions, such as mental illness, spasm, labor pain, delivery, postpartum bleeding and others (Field, 1995)
Among the 11 articles reviewed, 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified that met the criteria of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, but 1 of them was excluded by reason of language, which was Chinese (Table 1) (Holditch-Davis et al, 2014; Matricardi et al, 2013; Oswalt et al, 2009; Wheeden et al, 1993). 2 of the above mentioned RCTs were articles on parent-administered multisensory interventions for preterm infants (Holditch-Davis et al, 2014; Matricardi et al, 2013), 1 RCT article set out the effects of a massage intervention on teen mothers (Oswalt et al, 2009), and the fourth RCT described the effects of a massage therapy on cocaine-exposed preterm neonates (Wheeden et al, 1993)
ATVV is regarded as safe intervention for preterm infants, fullterm infants, and infants prenatally exposed to illicit substances, as tactile stimulation is vital to development of the central nervous system (White-Traut, 2004)

Summary

Introduction

Massage therapy ( known as tactile/kinesthetic stimulation) is one of the oldest touch therapies; it has been variously used for many conditions, such as mental illness, spasm, labor pain, delivery, postpartum bleeding and others (Field, 1995). Data from several studies relative to maternal distress and infant massage indicate benefits on mothers and their infants, such as lower levels of parenting stress and decline in depressive symptoms in mothers (Field, 1995; Holditch-Davis et al, 2014; Matricardi et al, 2013; Oswalt et al, 2009; White-Traut, 2004), as well as increased alertness before and after feedings, better weight gain, more responsiveness during mother-infant interactions, alleviation of motor problems, lower anxiety and stress hormones, improved immune function and earlier hospital discharge (preterm infants), among others, for the infants (Field, 1995; Holditch-Davis et al, 2014; Matricardi et al, 2013; Oswalt et al, 2009; Wheeden et al, 1993; White-Traut, 2004)

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