A study to assess the effect of tactile stimulation on selected parameters among preterm babies in selected hospital at Nagercoil

OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the pretest and posttest level of selected parameters among preterm babies. 2. To determine the effectiveness of tactile stimulation on selected parameters among preterm babies in experimental group. 3. To find out the association between the post test level of selected parameters among preterm babies and the selected demographic variables in experimental group. HYPOTHESES: H1 – There is significant effect of tactile stimulation on selected parameters among preterm babies who received tactile stimulation than those preterm babies who did not receive tactile stimulation. H2 – There is significant association between the pretest level of selected parameters among preterm babies and the selected demographic variables in experimental group. Review was done on tactile stimulation on improving the level of maturity among preterm babies. The conceptual framework for this study was based on Modified J.W Kenny’s Open System Model. Research design for the study was quasi experimental – non equivalent, control group design convenient sampling technique was used and the sample size was 60 with 30 samples in experimental group and 30 in control group. Modified Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale by Brazelton was used to assess the effect of tactile stimulation before and after intervention. MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: The results shows that the mean score on behavioural items in experimental group during pre test was 8.46, SD 1.50 and post test was 22.30, SD 2.64 respectively. The mean score on physiological parameters in experimental group during pre test was 8.43 ,SD 0.68 and post test was 4.43, SD 0.75 respectively. The t value was significant at p < 0.05 level and so the research hypotheses was accepted. The researcher concluded that tactile stimulation was effective than normal routine care in improving the level of maturity among preterm babies. There was significant association found between pretest level of selected physiological parameters and in relation to gestational age (x2 =8.08, p < 0.5) and birth weight (x2= 8.24, p < 0.05), and no significant association between physiological parameters and gender in experimental group. CONCLUSION: As prematurity is the leading cause of newborn deaths and second leading cause of death in children under the age of 5, it is necessary to improve the level of maturity and promote growth and development. The findings of the study indicated that the tactile stimulation is a cost effective intervention. Based on the findings of the study recommendations for future study are as follows: 1. The study can be replicated with large sample size. 2. A comparative study can be performed to evaluate the effect of tactile stimulation with other multi model stimulation. 3. A comparative study can be conducted to evaluate the long term effect of tactile stimulation on term infants. 4. Management of low birth weight babies is sensitive to cultural norms and a comparative intercultural study is likely to bring out new insight in the present phenomena of interest