Pregnancy massage reduces prematurity, low birthweight and postpartum depression.
Pregnant women diagnosed with major depression were given 12 weeks of twice per week massage therapy by their significant other or only standard treatment as a control group. The massage therapy group women versus the control group women not only had reduced depression by the end of the therapy period, but they also had reduced depression and cortisol levels during the postpartum period. Their newborns were also less likely to be born prematurely and low birthweight, and they had lower cortisol levels and performed better on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment habituation, orientation and motor scales.
Field
Tiffany
T
Touch Research Institutes, University of Miami Medical School, PO Box 016820, Miami, FL 33101, USA. tfield@med.miami.edu
Diego
Miguel
M
Hernandez-Reif
Maria
M
Deeds
Osvelia
O
Figueiredo
Barbara
B
D000328:Adult; D000786:Anger / Q000502:physiology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001416:Back Pain / Q000150:complications; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D018730:Infant Behavior; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008405:Massage; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D006854:Hydrocortisone