title: Behavioral analysis of preterm neonates included in a tactile and kinesthetic stimulation program during hospitalization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of tactile and kinesthetic stimulation on behavioral and clinical development in preterm neonates while still in the hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two clinically stable preterm infants weighing <2.500 grams, with no significant perinatal asphyxia, were allocated to two groups: a control group (CG) in which no intervention was made (n=16) and a study group (SG) in which the newborn infants received tactile and kinesthetic stimulation (n=16). Data on the infants' clinical progress were collected from medical charts and behavioral evaluations by means of a series of weekly, eight-minute films recorded from the time of inclusion into the study until hospital discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a trend towards a shorter duration of hospital stay, increased daily weight gain and a predominance of self-regulated behavior (regular breathing, state of alertness, balanced tonus, a range of postures, coordinated movements, hand-to-face movement control, suction, grip, support) in infants in the SG. With respect to motor control, comparative analysis of postconceptional ages according to age-bracket (I - 31-33 weeks 6/7; II - 34-36 weeks 6/7; and III - 37-39 weeks 6/7) revealed balanced tonus and coordinated voluntary movements in all three periods, a longer time spent in a range of postures (age bracket I) or in flexion (age bracket II) and more regular breathing in age bracket I in the SG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the hospital, tactile and kinesthetic stimulation was shown to have a positive effect, contributing towards adjustment and self-regulation of behavior in the preterm newborn infant. Article registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) under the number ACTRN12610000133033.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Psychology Department, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. andreiamdeia@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Andréia M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Niélsy H P
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Bergamasco
mesh_terms: D002657:Child Development; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D018730:Infant Behavior; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007699:Kinesthesis; D008297:Male; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D014110:Touch