Effect of Tactile-Kinesthetic Stimulation on Motor Development of Low Birth Weight Neonates

Low Birth Weight neonates need complementary interventions (e.g. tactile kinesthetic stimulation) to promote their development. This study was conducted to determine the effect of Tactile- Kinesthetic Stimulation (TKS) on motor development of Low Birth Weight neonates. In this clinical trial study, sample was made out of 40 inborn LBW neonates who were divided into two groups randomly. TKS was provided for three 15-minute periods per day for 10 consecutive days to the test group, with the massages consisting of moderate of pressure strokes in prone position and kinesthetic exercises consisting of flexion and extension of limbs in supine position. All measurements were taken before and after completion of the study with the same equipment and by the same person. Results indicated that motor behavior in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group after the 10 days TKS (P-Value≤0.0001). TKS could be an effective intervention in development of motor behavior of LBW neonates. Because very little is known about neonate's behavior, it seems to need more studies in other aspects of behavior in LBW neonates.