Year: 2026 | Month: July-September | Volume: 11 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 262-270
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijhsr.20260329
Effect of Combined Modalities of Prefeeding Stimulation and Kinesitherapy on Oral Motor Response, Feeding Tolerance and Body Weight Among Preterm Newborns Admitted at SNCU in Tertiary Care Hospital in West Bengal: Study Protocol
Srabani Santra1, Dr. Shaveta Sharma2
1Ph.D. Nursing Scholar, Gopal Narayan Singh University, Sasaram, Bihar, India
2Vice Principal, Narayan Nursing College, Gopal Narayan Singh University, Sasaram, Bihar, India
Corresponding Author: Srabani Santra
ABSTRACT
Background: Preterm newborns experience immature oral motor function, feeding intolerance, and inadequate weight gain due to underdeveloped neurological, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal systems. These problems are the main cause of delay the transition to full oral feeding, prolong hospitalization, feeding intolerance and increase the risk of complications.
Need for the study: Oromotor stimulation before feeding has been shown to improve oral motor skills and feeding readiness, while kinesitherapy enhances neuromuscular function, physiological stability, and motor development. But there is limited evidence available regarding the combined effect of these two interventions on oral motor response, feed tolerance, body weight and duration of hospital stay among preterm newborns.
Aim: To assess the effect of combined modalities of prefeeding stimulation and kinesitherapy on oral motor response, feeding tolerance, and body weight among preterm newborns admitted to the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of a selected hospital in West Bengal.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study will be conducted among preterm newborns admitted to the SNCU according to their inclusion criteria. Participants will be allocated to an intervention group receiving combined modalities of prefeeding stimulation and kinesitherapy along with standard care and a comparison group receiving standard care alone. The prefeeding stimulation and kinesitherapy will be administered according to PIOMI and Field’s tactile kinesthetic stimulation protocol respectively for ten consecutive days. Oral motor response, feeding tolerance, and body weight will be assessed using PROFAS and PIBBS scale, feeding tolerance log sheet and calibrated digital wing scale on day 5, day 11 at the time of discharge and during the time of 1st follow up. Data will be analysed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics to compare outcomes between the two groups.
Conclusion: This study is expected to generate evidence on the effectiveness of combined prefeeding stimulation and kinesitherapy as a nursing intervention for improving feeding-related outcomes and weight gain and early discharge from hospital in preterm newborns admitted to SNCUs.
Keywords: Prefeeding stimulation, kinesitherapy, preterm, oromotor response, feeding tolerance