title: Application of the M Technique in hospitalized very preterm infants: a feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the application of a novel relaxation method (the M Technique) in hospitalized very preterm infants in a level IIIC neonatal intensive care unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  A feasibility, observational intervention study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten very preterm infants were enrolled to receive the treatment intervention. Eligible infants born less than 30 weeks' gestation received the intervention at 30 weeks' postmenstrual age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on infant readiness, each infant received the M Technique for 5 minutes. Physiologic parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturations), behavioral variables (stress and relaxation cues), and infant behavioral state were measured 5 minutes before, during, and up to 10 minutes after the intervention, continuously.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Descriptive analysis revealed that baseline physiologic, behavioral state, and behavioral cue parameters changed during and after the application of the M Technique. A decrease in heart rate and respiratory rate occurred during the M Technique (P = .006, P > .001 respectively) and a decrease in heart rate occurred at the end of the M Technique session (P = .02). In addition, an increase in SaO2 occurred during and at 5 minutes following the M Technique session (P = .04, P = .02, respectively). State scores decreased from baseline (mean = 5.1; range, 3-9) to after the intervention (mean = 2.0, range 1-4). As the intervention was delivered, more positive than negative behavioral cues were observed throughout, at the end, and after the M Technique session.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this feasibility study, the M Technique can be delivered without adverse effects to very preterm infants who are 30 weeks' postmenstrual age. Additional research is needed with a larger, randomized design to determine short- and long-term effects specifically related to neurologic outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing and Newborn Intensive Care, St Louis Children's Hospital, Missouri 63110, USA. joanrs@bjc.org
authors.forename: Joan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raney
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Conner
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coffelt
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brotto
authors.forename: Terrie
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inder
mesh_terms: D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D018730:Infant Behavior; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D056152:Respiratory Rate
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen