The Effect of Abdominal Massage on Jaundice and Defecation in Newborn Babies

NCT07388732 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2019/137
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 35
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Hyperbilirubinemia is a common condition in term newborns and is often treated with phototherapy. It is thought that abdominal massage may increase bowel movements, thereby increasing the frequency of defecation and supporting bilirubin excretion. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of abdominal massage, applied once or twice daily using the Vimala technique, on transcutaneous bilirubin levels and defecation frequency in hyperbilirubinemia-affected term newborns receiving phototherapy in the neonatal intensive care unit. The study was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital between February 29, 2020, and August 17, 2023. A total of 35 newborns meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into three groups. Group Massage-1 received 10 minutes of abdominal massage once daily before feeding for three days (n=12). Group Massage-2 received massage twice daily for the same duration (n=10). The control group received routine care (n=13).

Conditions

Hyper Bilirubinemia; Phototherapy; Jaundice, Neonatal

Keywords

Infant massage; Newborn; Phototherapy; Jaundice; Hyperbilirubinemia; Bilirubin

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• A transcutaneous bilirubin levels

  6 hours after phototherapy

• Defecation

  Diapers were changed a total of 8 times a day. Defecation outcome was assessed in 24-hour intervals for 3 days.

Study Arms (3)

Massage-1 Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Babies in Massage-1 received a 10-minute abdominal massage once a day before feeding for three days.

Other: Massage once a day for 3 days.

Massage-2 Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Babies in the Massage-2 group received a 10-minute abdominal massage twice a day before feeding for three days.

Other: Massage twice a day for 3 days.

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Interventions

Massage once a day for 3 days. OTHER

The Vimala Massage Application, before massaging, hands were washed and lubricated. The massage began with a patting motion on the newborn's abdomen, followed by clockwise circular movements and semicircles. The massage was then performed in the shapes of an I, inverted L, and U along the abdomen. Finally, a walking movement was performed with the fingertips from the right to the left side of the abdomen. Each movement was repeated six times.

Massage-1 Group

Massage twice a day for 3 days. OTHER

The Vimala Massage Application, before massaging, hands were washed and lubricated. The massage began with a patting motion on the newborn's abdomen, followed by clockwise circular movements and semicircles. The massage was then performed in the shapes of an I, inverted L, and U along the abdomen. Finally, a walking movement was performed with the fingertips from the right to the left side of the abdomen. Each movement was repeated six times.

Massage-2 Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 2 Days - 10 Days
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Term newborns (37-42 weeks gestation)
• days postpartum
• Diagnosed with hyperbilirubinemia
• Receiving phototherapy
• Fully orally fed.

You may not qualify if:

• Newborns with ABO incompatibility or Rh incompatibility.
• Diagnosed with direct hyperbilirubinemia.
• Genetic/metabolic diseases
• Infections within 24 hours
• With a need for fluid replacement
• Having skin anomalies
• Having abdominal disorders and surgery.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kutahya Health Sciences University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kütahya Health Sciences University

Kütahya, Province, 43000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Jaundice, Neonatal; Jaundice; Hyperbilirubinemia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Skin Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Newborns meeting the sampling criteria were assigned to experimental and control groups using a simple random number table. The study was single-blind because the researchers knew which group the newborns in the sample were in. However, the statistical analysis was double-blind because the statistics for the data were performed by a different person.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 28, 2026
• First Posted: February 5, 2026
• Study Start: February 29, 2020
• Primary Completion: August 17, 2023
• Study Completion: January 14, 2025
• Last Updated: February 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)