THERAPEUTIC TOUCH IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE IN PREMATURE NEWBORNS

This study investigated the effectiveness of therapeutic touch on weight, the presence of postnatal complications, and length of hospital stay in preterm newborns, as well as on parental satisfaction with the care provided. An experimental study was conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Virgen Macarena University Hospital in Seville (Spain).

Seventy eight premature neonates were randomly assigned to one of the comparison groups (39 in the control group and 39 in the experimental group). The intervention was based on the application of therapeutic touch.

The mean weight in grams was 1,867.80 in the experimental group and 1,860 in the control group. Length of hospital stay was 16.82 in the experimental group and 20.30 in the control group. Complications developed in 5.3% of the premature neonates in the experimental group and in 20% of those in the control group. The odds ratio for developing complications was 1.673 (CI 1.089-2.571).

The researchers concluded that the application of therapeutic touch reduces the length of hospital stay and the presence of complications.

Click Here To Read More At PubMed…

Super Healthy Tip…

Some research seems to measure the obvious. Premature babies, who are often isolated, incubated and not nursed as much as normal term babies do better when they are touched lovingly and with good intent – brilliant!

Ignoring this “complete idiots guide” nature of this type of research – it shows us the powerful effect of touch with strong positive intent – which is the consistent common theme between all forms of therapeutic touch.

And therapists who do use touch as a component of their treatment, should take note of the importance of what they are thinking about while touching – their own golf swing, their bank balance, what they are going to eat for lunch, or, the health, wellbeing and prosperity of the person they are touching? It could be making a big difference!