Positive Health Online

Abstract

FIELD and COLLEAGUES, Touch Research Institute, University of Miami School, Miami, FL 33101, USA. tfield@med.miami.edu review potential underlying mechanisms for massage therapy effects on preterm infant weight gain.

Background

Methodology

In this paper, potential underlying mechanisms for massage therapy effects on preterm infant weight gain are reviewed.

Results

Path analyses are presented suggesting that: (1) increased vagal activity was associated with (2) increased gastric motility, which, in turn, was related to (3) greater weight gain; and (4) increased IGF-1 was related to greater weight gain. The change in vagal activity during the massage explained 49% of the variance in the change in gastric activity. And, the change in vagal activity during the massage explained 62% of the variance in the change in insulin. That the change in gastric activity was not related to the change in insulin suggests two parallel pathways via which massage therapy leads to increased weight gain: (1) insulin release via the celiac branch of the vagus; and (2) increased gastric activity via the gastric branch of the vagus.

Conclusion

References

Field T, Diego M and Hernandez-Reif M. Potential underlying mechanisms for greater weight gain in massaged preterm infants. [Review]. Infant Behavior & Development. 34(3): 383-9. Jun 2011. Other ID Source: NLM. NIHMS258403 [Available on 06/01/12] Source: NLM. PMC3133856 [Available on 06/01/12].