Physiotherapy-led sensory-motor stimulation promotes growth in preterm infants: a randomised controlled trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31117/neuroscirn.v9i3.524Keywords:
Preterm infants, Sensory–motor stimulation, Massage therapy, Neuroplasticity, PhysiotherapyAbstract
Preterm infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units are exposed to environments that differ substantially from the intrauterine setting, with limited opportunities for positive sensory input. This randomised controlled trial examined whether a physiotherapy-led sensory–motor stimulation program could improve early growth outcomes among clinically stable preterm infants in a Malaysian NICU. Eighty-four infants born between 30 and 34 weeks’ gestation (birth weight 1.3–1.8 kg) were randomly assigned to receive either a combined massage therapy and kinaesthetic stimulation protocol (MT + KS) or kinaesthetic stimulation alone (KS). Mothers were trained and supervised by physiotherapists to deliver three daily sessions until discharge at a target weight of 1.8 kg. Average daily weight gain (ADWG) was the primary outcome, while study weight gain (StWG) and length of hospital stay (LOS) were secondary outcomes. Infants in the MT + KS group demonstrated higher ADWG compared with the KS-only group (mean difference +7.7 g/day, p=0.024), exceeding the predefined minimal clinically important difference of 5 g/day. Differences in StWG and LOS did not reach statistical significance, although both outcomes favoured the intervention group. No adverse events were observed, and caregiver adherence to the protocol was high. In this setting, a physiotherapy-supervised, mother-assisted MT + KS program was safe, feasible, and associated with improved growth velocity. The findings support incorporating structured sensory–motor stimulation into routine NICU care, particularly in resource-limited contexts.
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