The Effect of Foot Reflection Massage on the Reduction of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Premature Infants Under Non-Invasive Ventilation in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Introduction: Neonatal respiratory distress is a life-threatening lung disorder, so it is important to examine the effect of different intervention and care methods on respiratory distress in premature infants. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of foot reflex massage on the reduction of respiratory distress in premature infants in the intensive care unit. Methods: In this study, in 2018, 100 premature infants were randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups by clinical trial method. In the intervention group, reflexive foot massage was performed for three days and the control group received normal care. In both groups, a personal profile questionnaire and a respiratory distress index were completed before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 16. Results: The results showed that in the intervention and control group, the difference between mean oxygen saturation (Spo2) and respiratory distress rate on the third day after the intervention was statistically significant and in infants who undergone interventional foot massage, the mean respiratory distress is lower than the control group and oxygen saturation is higher than the control group Conclusion: Reflective foot massage is effective on physiological responses and reducing respiratory distress in premature infants. It seems that this easy, cheap and efficient intervention program can be considered in the executive instructions of health care and nurses' intervention and its education to mothers can be included in the country's educational programs.