title: Massage therapy by mothers enhances the adjustment of circadian rhythms to the nocturnal period in full-term infants.
abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of massage therapy on phase adjustment of rest-activity and melatonin secretion rhythms to the nocturnal period in full-term infants. Rest-activity cycles of infants (measurement 1, n = 16) were measured by actigraphy before and after 14 days of massage therapy (starting at age 10 [+/-4] d) and subsequently at 6 and 8 weeks of age. 6-Sulphatoxymelatonin excretion was assessed in urine samples at 6, 8, and 12 weeks of age (measurement 2, n = 21). At 8 weeks the controls revealed one peak of activity at approximately 12 midnight (11 p.m.-3 a.m.) and another one at approximately 12 noon (11 a.m.-3 p.m.), whereas in the treated group, a major peak was early in the morning (3 a.m.-7 a.m.) and a secondary peak in the late afternoon (3 p.m.-7 p.m.). At 12 weeks, nocturnal 6-sulphatoxymelatonin excretions were significantly higher in the treated infants (1346.38 +/- 209.40 microg/night vs 823.25 +/- 121.25 microg/night, respectively; <.05). It is concluded that massage therapy by mothers in the perinatal period serves as a strong time cue, enhancing coordination of the developing circadian system with environmental cues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Wolfson Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv. ferbers@post.tau.ac.il
authors.forename: Sari Goldstein
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Ferber
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laudon
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuint
authors.forename: Aron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weller
authors.forename: Nava
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zisapel
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008405:Massage; D008550:Melatonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000652:urine; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D011897:Random Allocation; D012146:Rest; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C054513:6-sulfatoxymelatonin; D008550:Melatonin