The Effect of Massage on Growth in Premature Babies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION: Massage is one of the applications that has a positive effect on the growth of premature babies. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of massage on growth in premature babies.
METHODS: In this systematic and meta-analysis study, Academic Search Complete (EBSCOHOST), Medline, Web of Science, Nursing & Allied Health Database-ProQuest, Pubmed, and Science Direct databases were explored in order to determine the studies on the effect of massage on growth in premature babies between 2000 and 2020. Six studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 308 premature babies were included in this systematic review and metaanalysis. It was found that the head circumference (MD: 0.97, 95% CI: min: 0.73, max: 1.21, P <.001) and total weight gain (MD: Mean difference 129.09, 95% CI: min: 79.58, max: 178.60, P <.001) of the babies in the massage group are statistically significantly higher than the infants in the control group.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was concluded that massage increased head circumference and total weight gain in premature babies but did not affect the length and daily weight gain. There is a need for more randomized controlled studies in order to examine the effect of massage on growth parameters in premature babies.