Brain electrical activity and oxygenation by Reflex Locomotion Therapy and massage in preterm and term infants. A protocol study

Background: Electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) are techniques for assessing brain electrical activity and oxygenation. There is evidence of brain electrical activity and oxygenation in preterm/full-term infants by tactile stimuli but none by Reflex Locomotion Therapy. Their knowledge will address the delays in motor development that preterm infants often present. The objective will be to establish the differences in preterm and full-term infants in relation to brain electrical activity and oxygenation, and to test differences between Reflex Locomotion Therapy and massage. Methods: Randomized clinical trial with healthy preterm and non-preterm infants will be included and will be randomly divided into 3 groups: 2 intervention groups (Reflex Locomotion Therapy/massage therapy) and 1 control group (fake Reflex Locomotion Therapy). Outcome variables will be brain electrical activity and oxygenation changes measured by EEG and fNIRS once after breastfeeding. Discussion: This study will test the application effects of Reflex Locomotion Therapy and massage therapy in newborn infants in relation to brain electrical activity and oxygenation, and to establish the differences between preterm and full-term infants. Several articles have been identified with different auditory, visual and olfactory stimuli; however, evidence on studies related to tactile stimuli is limited.