The research findings on the effects
of touch, specifically tactile and kinesthetic stimulation, skin-to-skin contact,
early parent touch, and infant massage,
have been conflicting and sometimes
inconclusive. Studies on tactile and kinesthetic
stimulation report that preterm
infants who are touched are developmentally,
physiologically, and
behaviorally stronger as evidenced by
increased weight gain, higher scores on
the Brazelton scale, greater
catecholamine excretion, shorter length
of hospitalizations, and stable heart
rates, respiratory rates, and oxygen saturation
levels