Massage therapy improves behavior in neonates born to HIV-positive mothers

J Pediatr Psychol. 1996 Dec;21(6):889-97. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/21.6.889.

Abstract

Assigned randomly 28 neonates born to HIV-positive mothers to a massage therapy or control group. The treatment infants were given three 15-minute massages daily for 10 days. The massaged group showed superior performance on almost every Brazelton newborn cluster score and had a greater daily weight gain at the end of the treatment period unlike the control group who showed declining performance.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Child of Impaired Parents*
  • HIV Infections*
  • Humans
  • Infant Behavior*
  • Infant, Newborn / growth & development*
  • Infant, Newborn / psychology*
  • Massage* / standards
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Weight Gain