Can kangaroo care and baby massage boost preterm development?
NCT ID NCT02835612
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether extra stimulation—kangaroo care and gentle massage by mothers—helps preterm babies develop better. 138 preterm infants were split into two groups: one received standard kangaroo care, the other added massage therapy until hospital discharge. Researchers then tracked their development, including motor and cognitive skills, up to 18 months corrected age.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- early stimulation (kangaroo care and massage therapy by mothers)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that simple, parent-led stimulation programs improve long-term development in preterm infants.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, single-center study with no blinding, so results may not apply broadly. The intervention is low-risk but may not produce clear benefits.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90035903, Brazil
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