MASSAGE EFFECTS ON COCAINE-EXPOSED PRETERM NEONATES

Thirty preterm cocaine-exposed preterm neonates (mean gestational age 30 wks, mean birth weight = 1212 g, mean intensive care unit duration = 18 days) were randomly assigned to a massage therapy or a control gr oup as soon as they were considered medically stable. Group assignment was based on a random stratification of gestational age, birth weight , intensive care unit duration, and entry weight into the study. The t reatment group (N = 15) received massages for three 15-minute periods 3 consecutive hours for a 10-day period. Findings suggested that the m assaged infants (1) averaged 28% greater weight gain per day (33 vs 26 g) although the groups did not differ in intake (calories or volume), (2) showed significantly fewer postnatal complications and stress beh aviors than did control infants, and (3) demonstrated more mature moto r behaviors on the Brazelton examination at the end of the 10-day stud y period.