The state of infant massage use in neonatal intensive care units

Abstract Objective To characterize current infant massage practices in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and identify variability in approaches among neonatal therapists. Study design A cross-sectional survey was distributed to NICU-based occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech language pathologists. The survey inquired about massage use, training, protocols, techniques, and safety concerns. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Results Among 101 respondents from 32 states, 90 (90%) used infant massage, with 64 (71%) considering it standard care. Infant massage was most often administered by occupational therapists (77, 76%), physical therapists (70, 69%), and parents (46, 46%). Despite high training rates (87, 97%), only 48 (53%) followed a specific protocol. Techniques, frequency, and use of emollients varied widely. Safety concerns included infant stress and physiological instability, though adverse events were rare. Conclusion Despite widespread use of infant massage in NICUs, variability in findings underscores the need for standardization to ensure safe, effective delivery of massage.