Preterm infant weight gain is increased by massage therapy and exercise via different underlying mechanisms.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of massage therapy (moderate pressure stroking) and exercise (flexion and extension of limbs) on preterm infants' weight gain and to explore potential underlying mechanisms for those effects.


METHODS
Weight gain and parasympathetic nervous system activity were assessed in 30 preterm infants randomly assigned to a massage therapy group or to an exercise group. Infants received 10min of moderate pressure massage or passive flexion and extension of the limbs 3 times per day for 5days, and EKGs were collected during the first session to assess vagal activity.


RESULTS
Both massage and exercise led to increased weight gain. However, while exercise was associated with increased calorie consumption, massage was related to increased vagal activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Taken together, these findings suggest that massage and exercise lead to increased preterm infant weight gain via different underlying mechanisms.
Touch Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami School of Medicine Miami, FL 33101, United States; Fielding Graduate University, 2020 De la Vina Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105-3814, United States. Electronic address: mdiego@med.miami.edu.
Miguel A
MA
Diego
Touch Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami School of Medicine Miami, FL 33101, United States; Fielding Graduate University, 2020 De la Vina Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105-3814, United States.
Tiffany
T
Field
University of Alabama, The University of Alabama, College of Human Environmental Sciences, Department of Human Development & Family Studies, Box 870160 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0160, United States.
Maria
M
Hernandez-Reif
D002149:Energy Intake; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D015430:Weight Gain
Exercise; Massage; Preterm infant; Vagal activity; Weight gain