Infant massage and brain maturation measured using EEG: A randomised controlled trial

Background: Very preterm (VPT) infants develop adverse neurological sequelae from early exposure of the immature brain to the extrauterine environment.Aims: To determine the effects of infant massage on brain maturation in low-risk VPT infants.Study design: A randomised controlled trial of VPT infants, who received standard care or daily massage therapy, administered by the mother, from 34 weeks' to 40 weeks' corrected age (CA). Subjects: VPT infants (born at 28 weeks to 32 + 6 weeks' gestational age, G.A.) and a healthy at term cohort for comparison.Outcome measures: At term equivalent age (39 weeks' to 42 weeks' CA), EEG was recorded to calculate global relative power (GRP), using power spectral analysis.Results: Sixty infants were recruited, and EEGs of 25 massage and 20 standard care infants were analysable. There was no difference between groups in primary outcome (beta GRP). There was a significantly higher central alpha relative power measured in the intervention group infants, compared to standard care (SC) group (mean dif-ference = 1.42, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.12 to 2.73; p = 0.03). A massage dose effect was shown by a positive correlation between, massage dose and beta, alpha and theta GRP (r = 0.42, 95%CI = 0.12 to 0.64, r = 0.45; 95%CI = 0.16 to 0.66, r = 0.39; 95%CI = 0.10 to 0.62 respectively) and a negative correlation between massage dose and delta GRP (r =-0.41, 95%CI =-0.64 to-0.12), suggesting that a higher dose of massage is associated with more favourable brain maturation.Conclusions: Central alpha regional relative power was greater in massaged infants compared to SC group infants, suggesting relatively greater brain maturation in this area. A measurable massage dose effect in favour of greater brain maturation, shows promise for verification in a larger clinical trial.