The Effect of Massage and Foot Reflexology on Sleep in Newborns

Küçük Resim Yok

Tarih

2025

Dergi Başlığı

Dergi ISSN

Cilt Başlığı

Yayıncı

Sage Publications Inc

Erişim Hakkı

info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess

Özet

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the effects of massage and foot reflexology on the sleep of premature infants. Materials and Methods: The research was designed as a randomized controlled experimental study. The study population consisted of premature infants born at 30-37 weeks of gestation who were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a hospital in the Central Anatolia Region. The sample included 108 premature infants divided into three groups: Massage group (n = 36), Foot reflexology group (n = 36), and Control group (n = 36). Data were collected using a neonatal follow-up form and actigraphy. Massage and foot reflexology interventions were administered to the respective groups twice daily (Morning: 07:00-09:00 and Evening: 19:00-21:00) for 15 minutes each session over two consecutive days, making up a total of four sessions. The control group received routine nursing care without any additional intervention. Pre-test (once) and post-test (once) measurements of 24-h sleep durations were assessed using actigraphy for all groups. Results: Sleep duration in the massage group increased compared to pre-intervention (251 minutes) and the control group (272 minutes), while the sleep duration in the foot reflexology group similarly increased compared to pre-intervention (268 minutes) and the control group (266 minutes) (p < .001). Sleep efficiency also showed a significant increase post-intervention, rising to 73% in the massage group and 71.8% in the foot reflexology group compared to the control group (p < .001). Furthermore, the number of awakenings and wakefulness duration significantly decreased in the massage and foot reflexology groups compared to the control group (p < .05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that massage and foot reflexology are effective non-pharmacological methods for improving sleep duration and sleep efficiency while reducing wakefulness duration and the number of awakenings in premature infants.

Açıklama

Anahtar Kelimeler

newborn, massage, foot reflexology, sleep

Kaynak

Biological Research For Nursing

WoS Q Değeri

Q2

Scopus Q Değeri

Q1

Cilt

27

Sayı

3

Künye