The effect of therapeutic touch on colic symptoms in infantile colic infants: A randomised controlled study

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to examine the effects of therapeutic touch (TT) on infantile colic symptoms (Infant Colic Scale (ICS) score, crying time and sleep time).

Methods: This randomised controlled trial included infants aged 4-12 weeks diagnosed with infantile colic in a pediatric unit of a hospital. Infants were assigned to intervention or control groups using a stratified randomisation method. The intervention group received TT sessions six times, 3 days a week, in addition to usual care for 2 weeks. The control group received the usual care. Data were collected using Mother-Infant Information Form, ICS, Crying and Sleep Time Follow-Up Forms. The infants were followed up for two weeks.

Results: A total of 64 infants who met the criteria were included in the study, including intervention (n = 32) and control (n = 32) groups. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (intervention and control) in terms of ICS scores (U = 4.5; P < 0.001; d = 3.252; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.505-3.999), crying time (F = 57.097; ŋ_p ² = 0.461; P < 0.001) and sleep time (F = 17.884; ŋ_p ² = 0.211; P < 0.001). When the intervention group was compared with the control group at all time points, the size of the effect (group × time interaction) was found to be high.

Conclusions: TT effectively relieved symptoms, decreased crying time and increased sleep time in infants with infantile colic. TT is recommended to relieve colic in infants.

Keywords: Infant Colic Scale; crying; infant; infantile colic; sleep; therapeutic touch.