Combining orofacial stimulation with gentle touch therapy improves breastfeeding tolerance and weight gain in preterm infants

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of orofacial stimulation combined with gentle touch therapy on breastfeeding intolerance and weight gain in preterm infants. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Wuhan Children's Hospital, involving 236 preterm infants diagnosed with breastfeeding intolerance. Of these, 130 infants received a combination of gentle touch and orofacial stimulation (combination group), while 106 infants received only gentle touch therapy (only-touch group). The intervention lasted for three months. Outcomes were assessed using clinical indicators of breastfeeding intolerance, the Neonatal Oral Motor Assessment Scale (NOMAS), growth measurements (weight, height, and head circumference), and levels of calcium, albumin, prealbumin, and bilirubin. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 23.0. Results: The combination group demonstrated a higher rate of improvement in breastfeeding intolerance compared to the only-touch group (significantly improved cases: 60 vs. 30; ineffective cases: 7 vs. 44; chi(2) = 28.267, P < 0.05). Oral motor function improved significantly more in the combination group (P < 0.05). After 1 and 3 months, the combination group showed greater increases in weight, height, and head circumference (Height: P = 0.025 at 1 month; Head circumference: P = 0.034 at 3 months). The duration of residual milk was significantly reduced in the combination group by the end of the observation period (P < 0.001). Nutrient analysis revealed higher levels of calcium, albumin, and prealbumin post-nursing (P < 0.05), and bilirubin levels decreased significantly after one month (t = 5.987, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Combining orofacial stimulation with gentle touch therapy improves breastfeeding tolerance, oral motor function, growth, and nutritional status in preterm infants more effectively than touch therapy alone.