A pilot study by Harrison, Groer,
Modrcin-McCarthy, and Wilkinson
(1992) examined the effect of a GHT on
six medically fragile preterm infants of
27-32 weeks gestational age. Video
camera recording was made of the
touch intervention and on the 10-minute
preintervention and postintervention
periods. Heart rate and oxygen saturation
measurements were monitored
electronically. Infants in the experimental
group (n = 3), compared with the control
group (n = 3), had lower serum
cortisol levels, greater weight gain,
lower morbidity scores, fewer days on
phototherapy or oxygen, fewer blood
transfusions, and shorter hospital
stays. Additionally, motor activity decreased
during the touch intervention.