TY - JOUR
T1 - Tactile kinaesthetic methods without abdominal pressure promoting gastrointestinal passage in preterm infants
T2 - A scoping review
AU - Hurst, Natalie
AU - Latour, Jos M.
AU - Poets, Christian F.
AU - Schwarz, Christoph E.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Authors
PY - 2025/3/13
Y1 - 2025/3/13
N2 - Background: Tactile kinaesthetic stimulation (TKS) might support enteral feeding and meconium excretion in preterm infants, but volvulus has been linked to abdominal massage. Aim: To map the evidence and to identify knowledge gaps on TKS in preterm infants. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in August 2024 using four databases. Results: Ten studies (totaling 268 infants weighing 1000–2500g at birth) met inclusion criteria. All studies utilized whole-body TKS, involving stroking and movement with moderate to gentle pressure, administered 1 to 3 times daily by staff. Starting TKS in the first days of life seemed to improve meconium excretion, while later interventions were associated with enhanced vagal activity and gastric motility. The effect of TKS on enteral feeding remains unknown. Conclusion: Research gaps exist regarding TKS for promoting enteral feeding and meconium excretion in preterm infants. Optimal methods and adaptations for this vulnerable patient group are uncertain.
AB - Background: Tactile kinaesthetic stimulation (TKS) might support enteral feeding and meconium excretion in preterm infants, but volvulus has been linked to abdominal massage. Aim: To map the evidence and to identify knowledge gaps on TKS in preterm infants. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in August 2024 using four databases. Results: Ten studies (totaling 268 infants weighing 1000–2500g at birth) met inclusion criteria. All studies utilized whole-body TKS, involving stroking and movement with moderate to gentle pressure, administered 1 to 3 times daily by staff. Starting TKS in the first days of life seemed to improve meconium excretion, while later interventions were associated with enhanced vagal activity and gastric motility. The effect of TKS on enteral feeding remains unknown. Conclusion: Research gaps exist regarding TKS for promoting enteral feeding and meconium excretion in preterm infants. Optimal methods and adaptations for this vulnerable patient group are uncertain.
KW - Abdominal pressure
KW - Enteral food buildup
KW - Meconium excretion
KW - Tactile kinaesthetic stimulation
KW - Very low birth weight infant
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=86000509257&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/context/nm-research/article/1786/viewcontent/1_s2.0_S1355184125000286_main.pdf
U2 - 10.1016/j.jnn.2025.101643
DO - 10.1016/j.jnn.2025.101643
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:86000509257
SN - 1355-1841
VL - 31
JO - Journal of Neonatal Nursing
JF - Journal of Neonatal Nursing
IS - 3
M1 - 101643
ER -