Poster: Human Sciences Creativity Day, Florida State University 2013

Infant massage benefits for infants and parents/caregivers: A critical review College of Human Sciences Family and Child Studies M. Kay Keller, M.P.A., S.S.W., C.I.M.I.

Research Question This critical review aimed to evaluate experimental and quasi-experimental research previously published which focused on answering the question: “Does providing infant massage benefit the infant and the parents or caregivers?” Methods Thirty-one peer reviewed published research articles were reviewed to determine the theoretical framework and the rigor of the research designs. Sample The articles discussed in this critical targeted parents or caregivers who massaged infants. This research was representative of fourteen different countries. Participants Mothers who reported depression symptoms, fathers, caregivers and infants.

Results Infant Outcomes included: decrease in crying/colic, decrease in length of hospital stay, decrease in diarrhea, increased interaction (engagement & entrainment behavior), increase in physical growth, and increased sleep time. Parent/Caregiver Outcomes included: Decreased symptoms of stress, anxiety & depression, increased care giving activities, increased interaction, improvements in lifestyles, and increased self efficacy. To date there are no reported negative outcomes. Conclusions Fathers increased the quality of care giving activities and infants initiated engagement with fathers after receiving infant massage. Mothers reported less depression symptoms regardless of whether they massaged their infants or watched their infants being massaged. Caregivers reported increased satisfaction in their lives after volunteering to massage infants.