The Beneficial Effects of Massage on Motor Development and Sensory Processing in Young Children with Developmental Delay: A Randomized Control Trial Study

Wei Peng Lu, Wen Hui Tsai, Ling Yi Lin, Rong Bin Hong, Yea Shwu Hwang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: We investigated the effects of massage on young children with developmental delay but no clear diagnosis (e.g., cerebral palsy, genetic diseases, or autism). Methods: Thirty-six children with DD, at 1–3 years of age, were randomly assigned to the massage (n = 18) or control group (n = 18) after being stratified by age and motor developmental quotient. The two groups continued to receive routine rehabilitation intervention, whereas the massage group additionally received 20 min of massage twice a week for 12 weeks. The Comprehensive Development Inventory for Infants and Toddlers–Diagnostic Test, the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile–Chinese version, anthropometric measures, and a sleep questionnaire were administrated before and after the massage intervention. Results: The results of analysis of covariance revealed that the massage group exhibited a greater improvement in the total motor score (p = 0.023), gross motor score (p = 0.047), and sensory sensitivity behavior (p = 0.042). Conclusion: These findings suggest that massage can effectively enhance motor and sensory processing in children with DD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)487-495
Number of pages9
JournalDevelopmental Neurorehabilitation
Volume22
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019 Oct 3

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Rehabilitation
  • Developmental Neuroscience

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