Effects of infant massage on state anxiety in mothers of preterm infants prior to hospital discharge

Aims and objectives. This study evaluated the effect of infant massage on anxiety in mothers of preterm infants who discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit. Background. Birth of preterm infants commonly leads to great levels of distress and anxiety in mothers. Although various methods have been suggested to help mothers cope with such stressful conditions, the effects of infant massage have not been adequately studied in mothers. Design. This was a quasi-experimental clinical trial. Methods. Overall, in 70 mothers and their preterm infants who scheduled to be discharged within 24 hours, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale (Spielberger) was completed for mothers in both groups in the morning of the day before discharge. The experimental group received eight minutes of massage including two standard similar parts (each part four minutes). The massage was repeated in two parts on the day of discharge, and then, state anxiety was re-measured using Spielberg's scale for all mothers. The control group received no intervention. Results. The results showed that on the day of discharge, there was a significant difference in the overall mean score of maternal state anxiety between the two groups (p < 0.002), although not in the severity of maternal state anxiety. In both groups, the mean score of maternal state anxiety was significantly decreased on the day of discharge (p < 0.001). Conclusions. The findings provide evidence that infant massage by mother has an effect on the state anxiety of mothers of preterm infants, so it is recommended that mothers apply massage for preterm infants to improve their mental health. Relevance to clinical practice. Mothers of preterm infants can promote mental health by continuing massage of their infants at home.