Massage therapy facilitates weight gain in preterm infants

Studies from several labs have documented a 31 to 47% greater weight gain i n preterm newborns receiving massage therapy (three 15-min sessions for 5-1 0 days) compared with standard medical treatment. Although the underlying m echanism for this relationship between massage therapy and weight gain has not yet been established, possibilities that have been explored in studies with both humans and rats include (a) increased protein synthesis, (b) incr eased vagal activity that releases food-absorption hormones like insulin an d enhances gastric motility, and (c) decreased cortisol levels leading to i ncreased oxytocin. In addition, functional magnetic resonance imaging studi es are being conducted to assess the effects to touch therapy on brain deve lopment. Further behavioral, physiological, and genetic research is needed to understand these effects of massage therapy on growth and development.