On the Prediction of Opium Addicts’ Changeability through Early Maladaptive Schemas and Attachment Styles

Objective: This study was an attempt to investigate the role of early maladaptive schemas and attachment styles in changeability of opium addicts. Method: The research method was descriptive-correlation and the number of 162 male opium addicts was selected via convenience sampling. For data collection purposes, Yang's early maladaptive schemas and Collins and Read’s adult attachment scale, and Rhode Island’s changeability scale were used. Results: The results showed that 38.1% of the changeability variance is predicted by secure attachment, avoidant attachment, and early maladaptive schemas. In the same way, avoidant and ambivalent attachment styles were positively associated with early maladaptive schemas. Conclusion: Due to the effect of early maladaptive schemas and insecure attachment styles on the incidence of maladaptive behavior, changeability of opium addicts can be expected to increase through the modification dysfunctional thoughts and systemic relations.&nbsp

The Effect of Massage with Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil on Weight Gain in Premature Neonates

Prematurity and poor weight gaining are important causes for neonatal hospitalization. The present study aimed to investigate the role of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil via massage therapy as a supplementary nutritional method on the weight gain of Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU)-hospitalized neonates. This randomized clinical trial performed among 121 stable premature neonates hospitalized in the NICU of Qaem Educational Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. They were randomly divided into three groups: oil-massage, massage alone and control groups. These groups were compared on the basis of weight gain during a one-week interval. The three groups were matched for sex, mean gestational age, birth weight, head circumference, delivery, and feeding type (P>0.05). The mean weight gain on the 7th day in the oil massage group was 105±1.3gr and 52±0.1gr in the massage group; whereas 54±1.3gr weight loss was observed in the control group. Significant differences were observed between the oil-massage group and the other two groups, respectively (P=0.002 and P=0.000). The findings of this study suggest that transcutaneous feeding with MCT oil massage therapy in premature neonates can result in accelerated weight gain in this age group with no risk of NEC

Massage therapy research review

In this review, massage therapy has been shown to have beneficial effects on varying conditions including prenatal depression, preterm infants, full-term infants, autism, skin conditions, pain syndromes including arthritis and fibromyalgia, hypertension, autoimmune conditions including asthma and multiple sclerosis, immune conditions including HIV and breast cancer and aging problems including Parkinson's and dementia. Although many of the studies have involved comparisons between massage therapy and standard treatment control groups, several have compared different forms of massage (e.g. Swedish versus Thai massage), and different active therapies such as massage versus exercise. Typically, the massage therapy groups have experienced more positive effects than the control or comparison groups. This may relate to the massage therapy providing more stimulation of pressure receptors, in turn enhancing vagal activity and reducing cortisol levels. Some of the researchers have assessed physical, physiological and biochemical effects, although most have relied exclusively on self-report measures. Despite these methodological problems and the dearth of research from the U.S., the massage therapy profession has grown significantly and massage therapy is increasingly practiced in traditional medical settings, highlighting the need for more rigorous research. •Massage therapy has positive effects on many different groups with varying conditions.•These effects may derive from stimulation of pressure receptors leading to enhanced vagal activity and reduced cortisol levels.•Some of these studies did not include treatment comparison groups and several were limited by the exclusive use of self-report measures

PREMM: Preterm early massage by the mother: Protocol of a randomised controlled trial of massage therapy in very preterm infants

© 2016 Lai et al.Background: Preterm infants follow an altered neurodevelopmental trajectory compared to their term born peers as a result of the influence of early birth, and the altered environment. Infant massage in the preterm infant has shown positive effects on weight gain and reduced length of hospital stay. There is however, limited current evidence of improved neurodevelopment or improved attachment, maternal mood or anxiety.The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of infant massage performed by the mother in very preterm (VPT) infants.Effects on the infant will be assessed at the electrophysiological, neuroradiological and clinical levels. Effects on maternal mood, anxiety and mother-infant attachment will also be measured. Methods/Design: A randomised controlled trial to investigate the effect of massage therapy in VPT infants. Sixty VPT infants, born at 28 to 32weeks and 6days gestational age, who are stable, off supplemental oxygen therapy and have normal cranial ultrasounds will be recruited and randomised to an intervention (infant massage) group or a control (standard care) group. Ten healthy term born infants will be recruited as a reference comparison group. The intervention group will receive standardised massage therapy administered by the mother from recruitment, until term equivalent age (TEA). The control group will receive care as usual (CAU). Infants and their mothers will be assessed at baseline, TEA, 12months and 24months corrected age (CA), with a battery of clinical, neuroimaging and electrophysiological measures, as well as structured questionnaires, psychoanalytic observations and neurodevelopmental assessments. Discussion: Optimising preterm infant neurodevelopment is a key aim of neonatal research, which could substantially improve long-term outcomes and reduce the socio-economic impact of VPT birth. This study has the potential to give insights into the mother-baby relationship and any positive effects of infant massageon neurodevelopment. An early intervention such as massage that is relatively easy to administer and could alter the trajectory of preterm infant brain development, holds potential to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in this vulnerable population. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12612000335897. Date registered: 22/3/2012