In 2013, a groundbreaking study researchers have discovered that massage therapy significantly enhances heart rate variability (HRV), a crucial measure of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function, in preterm infants. The study, led by S. L. Smith and colleagues, involved a randomized, masked longitudinal trial with medically stable preterm infants between 29 to 32 weeks of gestational age.

A total of 37 infants participated in the study, with 17 receiving massage therapy and 20 serving as a control group. Licensed massage therapists administered the massage sessions twice daily over a four-week period. The research team employed SPSS generalized estimating equations to analyze the weekly HRV measurements.

The findings revealed a notable improvement in HRV among the massaged infants compared to the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Intriguingly, the data also indicated that male infants benefited more from the massage therapy than female infants, showing a greater enhancement in HRV (P<0.05).

By the end of the study, the HRV trajectory of the massaged infants closely resembled that of term-born infants, suggesting that massage therapy might accelerate the development of the ANS in preterm infants. This improvement in HRV is critical, as it indicates better ANS function, which helps the body manage and respond to stress.

The researchers speculate that the enhanced ANS function observed in massaged infants could potentially improve their ability to handle exogenous stressors, contributing to better overall health outcomes. This study offers promising evidence that massage therapy could be a valuable non-invasive intervention to support the development of preterm infants during their crucial early weeks of life.

Reference: Smith, S. L., Lux, R., Haley, S., Slater, H., Beechy, J., & Moyer-Mileur, L. J. (2013). The effect of massage on heart rate variability in preterm infants. Journal of Perinatology, 33(1), 59-64.