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Tactile/kinesthetic stimulation effects on preterm neonates.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Field, TM; Schanberg, SM; Scafidi, F; Bauer, CR; Vega-Lahr, N; Garcia, R; Nystrom, J; Kuhn, CM
Published in: Pediatrics
May 1986

Tactile/kinesthetic stimulation was given to 20 preterm neonates (mean gestational age, 31 weeks; mean birth weight, 1,280 g; mean time in neonatal intensive care unit, 20 days) during transitional ("grower") nursery care, and their growth, sleep-wake behavior, and Brazelton scale performance was compared with a group of 20 control neonates. The tactile/kinesthetic stimulation consisted of body stroking and passive movements of the limbs for three, 15-minute periods per day for a 10 days. The stimulated neonates averaged a 47% greater weight gain per day (mean 25 g v 17 g), were more active and alert during sleep/wake behavior observations, and showed more mature habituation, orientation, motor, and range of state behavior on the Brazelton scale than control infants. Finally, their hospital stay was 6 days shorter, yielding a cost savings of approximately $3,000 per infant. These data suggest that tactile/kinesthetic stimulation may be a cost effective way of facilitating growth and behavioral organization even in very small preterm neonates.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Pediatrics

ISSN

0031-4005

Publication Date

May 1986

Volume

77

Issue

5

Start / End Page

654 / 658

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Touch
  • Physical Stimulation
  • Pediatrics
  • Orientation
  • Motor Activity
  • Length of Stay
  • Kinesthesis
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Humans
 

Citation

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Field, T. M., Schanberg, S. M., Scafidi, F., Bauer, C. R., Vega-Lahr, N., Garcia, R., … Kuhn, C. M. (1986). Tactile/kinesthetic stimulation effects on preterm neonates. Pediatrics, 77(5), 654–658.
Field, T. M., S. M. Schanberg, F. Scafidi, C. R. Bauer, N. Vega-Lahr, R. Garcia, J. Nystrom, and C. M. Kuhn. “Tactile/kinesthetic stimulation effects on preterm neonates.Pediatrics 77, no. 5 (May 1986): 654–58.
Field TM, Schanberg SM, Scafidi F, Bauer CR, Vega-Lahr N, Garcia R, et al. Tactile/kinesthetic stimulation effects on preterm neonates. Pediatrics. 1986 May;77(5):654–8.
Field, T. M., et al. “Tactile/kinesthetic stimulation effects on preterm neonates.Pediatrics, vol. 77, no. 5, May 1986, pp. 654–58.
Field TM, Schanberg SM, Scafidi F, Bauer CR, Vega-Lahr N, Garcia R, Nystrom J, Kuhn CM. Tactile/kinesthetic stimulation effects on preterm neonates. Pediatrics. 1986 May;77(5):654–658.

Published In

Pediatrics

ISSN

0031-4005

Publication Date

May 1986

Volume

77

Issue

5

Start / End Page

654 / 658

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Touch
  • Physical Stimulation
  • Pediatrics
  • Orientation
  • Motor Activity
  • Length of Stay
  • Kinesthesis
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Humans