International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2013): 4.438 Volume 4 Issue 5, May 2015 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Effectiveness of Oil Massage Therapy on Weight and Neurobehavioral Response among Low Birth Weight Infants V. Suganya 1 , M. Suganthi 2 , Sella Kumar 3 1 Assistant professor, Department of Child Health Nursing, Narayana College of Nursing, Nellore, India 2 Professor, HOD, Department of Child Health Nursing, Sri Ramakrishna College of Nursing, Coimbatore, India 3 Professor, Sri Ramakrishna College of Nursing, Coimbatore, India Abstract: An interventional study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of oil massage therapy among low birth weight infant at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, Coimbatore. Quasi experimental-nonequivalent control group design was adopted for this study. A sample of 14 infants were selected and assigned randomly to experimental and control group. The baseline data were collected from the infant’s record, weight was assessed by electronic weighing scale and neurobehavioral response was assessed by Modified Brazelton’s Neurobehavioral Assessment Scale for both experimental and control group. Coconut Oil massage was done for duration of 15 mins to infants in experimental group 3 times a day in 4 hours interval. Weight was assessed before and after the intervention and neurobehavioral response was assessed on the first and 10 th day of intervention. Weight and neurobehavioral response of experimental group were compared with control group. The results reveal that there is a significant difference in weight and neurobehavioral responses after the oil massage among infants in experimental group, when compared to the infant in control group Keywords: low bith wt, weight gain, neurobehavioral responses, oil massage, low birth wt infants. 1. Introduction Babies with a birth weight of less than 2.5 kg irrespective of the period of gestation are classified as low birth babies. These include both preterm and term small for date babies. Low birth weight babies are more prone to malnutrition, infection and neurodevelopmental handicap during infancy. The neonate loses about 7-8% of body weight during first week of life. The baby regains the birth weight by tenth day and continues to gain weight about 20-30 gm/day for the next 3 months of age. Infant massage has been shown to alter hormone level in babies and reduce anxiety and stress while promoting relaxation. Physiological effect of massage includes mobilizing fluids, washing out metabolic waste products that build up in muscle and promoting blood flow. The tactile stimulation can activate new fibers carrying touch sensation and the sensory upset from the fibers can decrease pain signals. In many culture massage with tropical oil is routine. The tropical oil massage provides multiple benefits. Coconut oil massage caused greater weight and height gain in preterm and term infants. Coconut oil is safer to use in hospital situation. The stabilization quality of this oil is particularly advantageous, when used in warm environment. It is rare for coconut oil to cause an allergic reaction because fractionation removes most of the proteins to which the allergens are attached. Coconut oil is readily absorbed. The absorbed oil is bio-available to fill nutritional needs. This may cause resultant improve weight gain (Bond, 2009). Coconut oil massage cause greater weight gain is due to transcutaneous absorption. Coconut oil is a saturated fat, in medium chain triglycerides. Because of more thin, vascular skin of preterm babies, the oil is readily absorbed. The absorbed oil is bio-available to fill nutritional needs. This may cause result in improved weight gain with coconut oil massage (Soriano, 2001). 2. Statement of the Problem Effectiveness of Oil Massage Therapy On Weight And Neurobehavioral Response Among Low Birth Weight Infants Objectives 1) To assess the weight and neurobehavioral responses of low birth weight infants. 2) To evaluate the effectiveness of oil massage therapy on weight and neurobehavioral responses of low birth weight infants in experimental group. 3) To compare the effectiveness of oil massage therapy on weight and neurobehavioral responses of low birth weight infants between experimental and control group. 3. Hypotheses The following hypotheses were formulated to test the weight of infant. H 01 : There is no statistically significant difference on weight among low birth weight infants between experimental and control group before oil massage. H 02 : There is no statistically significant difference on weight among low birth weight infants between experimental group Before and after oil massage. Paper ID: SUB154959 2999