Effects of a Sensory Stimulation on Weight Gain, Behavioral State, and Physiological Responses in Premature Infants

감각자극이 미숙아의 체중 증가, 행동상태 및 생리적 반응에 미치는 영향

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 $\chi$$^2$- test, student t-test, and repeated measures of ANOVA. Result: Hypothesis 1: There was a significant difference in the daily body weight gain between experimental and control group (F= 40.77, p= .0001). Hypothesis 2: There was a significant difference in the frequency of 'inactive awake state' between two groups ($\chi$$^2$= 39.778, p= .001). Hypothesis 3: There were significant differences in the mean of heart rate and $O_2$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.