Effect on Early Somatic Growth of a Daily Kinesthetic Stimulation on Preterm Infants

KSKP was applied daily at regular interval corresponding to the presence of parents. Our protocol is based on the Tiffany Field's protocol with some adjustments corresponding to the constraints of the hospital : the KS was applied 3 times a day and during 15 consecutive days in the hospital or at home and parents were responsible of delivering the intervention. Sunflower oil was used. During the first 5 days, parents performed KSKP with the support of the psychologist. After day 5, parents were expected to perform KSKP by themselves but could ask for help at any moment while in hospital or in the ambulatory follow-up. The KS always began approximately 60 minutes after the feed.

The infant is in the incubator, unclothed with diaper. Parents delivered KSI with the infant in supine position, stroking with the flats of the fingers with moderate pressure. Five 1-minute intervals, consisting of six 10-s periods of stroking, were applied to the following body regions: head, back, both legs and arms. The same process was repeated in prone position. The last part of the intervention was composed of 6 flexions of each extremity.