Unlike many of the other touch studies examined in this review, these GHT studies provided a detailed infant-driven protocol based on infant cues. The findings of Harrison and colleagues suggest that very preterm infants in a distressed or awakened state before GHT delivery appear to have more comforting benefits as defined by a decrease in heart rate, more REM sleep, less motor activity, and less behavioral stress signs. Findings from these existing GHT studies suggest that GHT may have a relaxing or calming effect on high-risk very preterm infants' physiologic and behavioral responses and reiterates the importance of continuous individualized assessment before, during, and after the touch intervention. These GHT findings support the belief that comforting touch should not be commenced on a timed schedule, but rather infant-driven, when the infant demonstrates distress or arousing cues.