PENGARUH TERAPI SENTUHAN MENGGUNAKAN TEKNIK TAKTIL KINESTETIK TERHADAP TANDA-TANDA VITAL DAN BERAT BADAN PADA BAYI PREMATUR

Abstract

Background: Premature neonates often face physiological problems such as unstable vital signs and low birth weight, which can increase the risk of morbidity and mortality. This study aims to analyse the effect of kinesthetic tactile touch therapy on the vital signs and birth weight of premature neonates at Dr Soekardjo Regional General Hospital in March 2025. Method: The study used a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test in two groups, namely the intervention group (n=11), which received kinesthetic tactile touch therapy and the control group (n=11), which did not receive the intervention. Results: Univariate results showed a uniform distribution of respondent characteristics between the two groups, including gender, infant age, gestational age, and birth weight. Bivariate analysis using paired t-test and independent t-test revealed that the intervention group experienced significant improvements in body temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, and oxygen saturation after the intervention (p<0.05), while changes in body weight were not significant. The control group also showed changes, but the increase was lower than the intervention group. Conclusion: These results confirm that tactile-kinesthetic touch therapy is effective in improving the physiological stability of preterm neonates. This study recommends the routine implementation of tactile-kinesthetic touch therapy in neonatal care units, as well as further research with larger sample sizes and long-term monitoring to assess the effects on infant growth and development.