Relationship between oil massage of infants and maternal stress using physical and online modes

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the following factors: (a) whether baby massage has a stress-reducing effect on mothers, (b) whether baby massage positively affects babies' body mechanisms, and (c) whether mothers can form friendships after massage sessions when given the opportunity to communicate with other mothers. This one-month intervention study enrolled 24 mothers and babies (14 face-to-face sessions and 10 Zoom sessions). We conducted weekly sessions regularly for one-month in each group. Data were collected using the coping scale, maternal consciousness scale, and parenting stress scale. The maternal negative consciousness score was significantly lower at two and three weeks from baseline (p=.042) whereas the maternal positive consciousness score was significantly higher at three weeks from baseline (p=.026) in the "Zoom" group. The number of daily bowel movements among infants had significantly changed by the end of the one-month session in both the "face-to-face" group (p=.01) and the "Zoom" group (p=.039). We suggest the use of remote video as a new method for supporting mothers and babies. We found that baby massage improved maternal understanding and ameliorated maternal stress. This also constitutes a way to support mothers and babies under restricted conditions.