title: [Effectiveness of the application of therapeutic touch on weight, complications, and length of hospital stay in preterm newborns attended in a neonatal unit].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of therapeutic touch on weight, the presence of postnatal complications, and length of hospital stay in preterm newborns, as well as on parental satisfaction with the care provided.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed an experimental study in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Virgen Macarena University Hospital in Seville (Spain). Seventy eight premature neonates were randomly assigned to one of the comparison groups (39 in the control group and 39 in the experimental group). The outcome variables of weight, length of hospital stay, the presence of complications, and parental satisfaction were evaluated. Control variables related to maternal socio-demographic and clinic characteristics were also measured. The intervention was based on the application of therapeutic touch.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean weight in grams was 1,867.80 (SD=149.72) in the experimental group and 1,860 (SD=181.92) in the control group (t=0.148; p=0.883). Length of hospital stay was 16.82 (SD=6.47) in the experimental group and 20.30 (SD=8.04) in the control group (t=2.100; p=0.039). Complications developed in 5.3% of the premature neonates in the experimental group and in 20% of those in the control group (chi(2)=3.78; p=0.049). The odds ratio for developing complications was 1.673 (CI 1.089-2.571).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of therapeutic touch reduces the length of hospital stay and the presence of complications. Nevertheless, further research in larger samples is required.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, España.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Domínguez Rosales
authors.forename: M Jesús
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Albar Marín
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tena García
authors.forename: M Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Ruíz Pérez
authors.forename: M Josefa
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Garzón Real
authors.forename: M Asunción
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rosado Poveda
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: González Caro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D019124:Therapeutic Touch