title: [Application of massage therapy in premature infant nursing care].
abstract: Massage therapy has been used in the care of premature infants for many years in western countries, and a significant body of research has already shown the effectiveness of massage therapy in significantly increasing body weight, decreasing infant hospital durations, enhancing bone formation, and improving behavior. Key considerations when applying massage therapy on premature infants include gestational age, bodyweight, and physical condition. Nurses can teach parents to administer massage therapy on their premature infants to enhance parent-child attachment and interaction. This article introduces massage therapy principles and methods, the effectiveness of massage therapy in premature infant care, and an approach to teaching parents how to apply massage therapy on their premature infants. Massage therapy can be included in premature infant care programs in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi College of Technology.
authors.forename: Shu-Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Huei-Chuan
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Sung
mesh_terms: D001846:Bone Development; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D018730:Infant Behavior; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007902:Length of Stay; D008405:Massage; D017283:Neonatal Nursing; D010290:Parents