The Effects of Multimodal Sensory Stimulation Combined with Chiropractic Therapy on Growth and Mother-Infant Interaction in Infants with Low Birth Weight

통합감각자극이 저체중아의 성장 및 모아 상호작용에 미치는 효과

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of multimodal sensory stimulation on growth and mother-infant interaction in infants with low birth weight (LBW). Method: A non-equivalent control group time-series study design was used. The participants were 38 LBW infants and their mothers (19 in the intervention group and 19 in the control group). The data were collected from September 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004. For the mothers in the intervention group, this researcher instructed mothers in the multimodal sensory stimulation therapy, in turn the mothers used these techniques on their infants once a day during the 4-week research period. The researcher measured weight, length, and head circumference of the LBW infants once a week for 4 weeks and made a film of the mother playing with the infant for 5 minutes in the last week of the research period. Results: Compared to the control group, LBW infants in the intervention group showed significant increases in weekly weight gain (F=3.82, p=.012) and had significantly higher scores for mother-infant interaction (t=3.93, p>.000). Conclusion: The results suggest that multimodal sensory stimulation therapy can be used to increase the growth of LBW infants and improve mother-infant interaction.