EFFECT OF MASSAGE APPLIED WITH SESAME OIL ON GROWTH AND STRESS SYMPTOMS IN PRETERM INFANTS

Background: Preterm birth, a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, presents numerous challenges including reduced growth rates and heightened stress levels. Massage therapy has emerged as a potential non-invasive intervention to address these issues in preterm infants. This study aims to evaluate the effects of massage therapy on the growth parameters and stress levels of preterm infants in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)setting.