J Korean Acad Nurs.
2001 Aug;31(4):703-711.
Effects of a Sensory Stimulation on Weight Gain, Behavioral State, and Physiological Responses in Premature Infants
- Affiliations
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Abstract
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PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of sensory stimulation
on premature infants.
METHOD: Thirty three premature infants admitted to NICU of D University Hospital in C
city were randomly assigned in two groups (Experimental group: 16, Control group:17).
For the experimental group, tactile and kinesthetic stimulation developed by Dr. Field
was applied 2 times a day for 10 days. Behavioral state was measured using the
Anderson Behavioral State Scale (ABSS). Heart rate, respiration, and oxygen saturation
were obtained for each infant before and after sensory stimulation.
Hypothesis testing was done using the X2- test, student t-test, and repeated measures
of ANOVA.
Result: Hypothesis 1: There was a significant difference in the daily body weight gain between
experimental and control group (F= 40.77, p= .0001).
Hypothesis 2: There was a significant difference in the frequency of 'inactive awake
state' between two groups (X2= 39.778, p= .001).
Hypothesis 3: There were significant differences in the mean of heart rate and O2
saturation between two groups (t= -2.174, p= .037; t= 3.080, p= .005). However, there
was no significant difference in the mean of respiration rate between two groups (t=
-1.966, p= .581).
CONCLUSION
The effectiveness of a sensory stimulation on weight gain and behavioral
state in premature infants was supported. Further study is recommended to develop a
sensory stimulation method as an independent nursing intervention for premature infant.