Effect of Oral Massage vs. Non-nutritive Sucking on Attainment of Independent Oral Feeding and Duration of Hospitalization in NICU: a Randomized Trial

Technology advancement has increased the survival rates of premature infants. Preterm newborns frequently experience oral feeding difficulties due to lack of coordination in sucking, swallowing and respiration. This may negatively affect attainment of independent oral feeding skill and leads to longer hospital stays. This study aimed to examine the effects of non-nutritive sucking vs. oral massage therapy on attainment of independent oral feeding and length of stay in the NICU. Methods & Materials: This clinical trial was conducted on 72 premature infants (28-32 week gestational age) hospitalized in the NICU of Alzahra Hospital in Tabriz in 2013. The eligible infants were randomly allocated to one of the three groups: oral massage, non-nutritive sucking, and control groups. Newborn infants in the oral massage group received pre- and intraoral massage therapy (before gavage) for at least 10 days. The newborn infants in the non-nutritive sucking group were encouraged to suck on a finger of mother or the researcher before gavage. The control group received usual care. The time to attain independent oral feeding and length of stay in the hospital were compared in the groups. Compared to the control group, the time to oral intake was significantly shorter in both experimental groups (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the duration to achieve independent oral feeding status among the groups (P=0.915). Length of stay in the hospital did not significantly differ among the three study groups (P=0.342). Findings indicated that both oral massage and non-nutritive sucking therapy groups could accelerate attainment of independent oral feeding in premature newborn infants.