The Effect of Massage and Foot Reflexology on Sleep in Newborns

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the effects of massage and foot reflexology on the sleep of premature infants. Materials and Methods: The research was designed as a randomized controlled experimental study. The study population consisted of premature infants born at 30–37 weeks of gestation who were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a hospital in the Central Anatolia Region. The sample included 108 premature infants divided into three groups: Massage group ( n = 36), Foot reflexology group ( n = 36), and Control group ( n = 36). Data were collected using a neonatal follow-up form and actigraphy. Massage and foot reflexology interventions were administered to the respective groups twice daily (Morning: 07:00–09:00 and Evening: 19:00–21:00) for 15 minutes each session over two consecutive days, making up a total of four sessions. The control group received routine nursing care without any additional intervention. Pre-test (once) and post-test (once) measurements of 24-h sleep durations were assessed using actigraphy for all groups. Results: Sleep duration in the massage group increased compared to pre-intervention (251 minutes) and the control group (272 minutes), while the sleep duration in the foot reflexology group similarly increased compared to pre-intervention (268 minutes) and the control group (266 minutes) ( p < .001). Sleep efficiency also showed a significant increase post-intervention, rising to 73% in the massage group and 71.8% in the foot reflexology group compared to the control group ( p < .001). Furthermore, the number of awakenings and wakefulness duration significantly decreased in the massage and foot reflexology groups compared to the control group ( p < .05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that massage and foot reflexology are effective non-pharmacological methods for improving sleep duration and sleep efficiency while reducing wakefulness duration and the number of awakenings in premature infants.