Korean J Women Health Nurs.  2005 Dec;11(4):265-272.

Effects of Maternal Massage to Newborn on Stress, Immune Function and Self-confidence of Mothers during the Postpartum Period

• Kim SD
• Park HR
• Lee SY
• Moon YI
• Park JH

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the effect of infant massage on stress, immune function and self-confidence in postpartum mothers. METHOD: From September, 2003 to February, 2004, 65 women who had delivered babies and were enrolled in the postpartum clinic were assigned to the experimental group or control group. In the experimental group, infant massage was given for 20 minute sessions twice a day from 4 days to 14 days after delivery. The instruments were Parental Stress Index, serum cortisol levels, WBCs, lymphocytes, and Self Confidence Scale. RESULTS: Stress scores, WBCs and lymphocytes showed significant differences by the time, but there weren't significant differences according to the group and interactions between the group and the time. Cortisol and self-confidence scores showed significant differences by the time and the group. CONCLUSIONS: Applying massage to their newborn baby influenced cortisol levels of postpartum mothers. Therefore stress, cortisol, and immune functions in postpartum mothers should be generally screened and follow up studies are needed for the effective application of massage in postpartum mothers.

Keyword

Massage; Stress; Immune function; Self confidence

MeSH Terms

Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hydrocortisone
Infant
Infant, Newborn*
Lymphocytes
Massage*
Mothers*
Parents
Postpartum Period*
Hydrocortisone