Effect of Breast Oketani-massage on Neonatal Weight Gain: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: The most important factor affecting weight gain after birth is the type and mode of neonatal feeding. The most suitable nutrition is exclusive breastfeeding. However, breastfeeding can be accompanied with some difficulties, such as breast engorgement, which results in neonatal feeding complications. Breast Oketani-massage therapy is proposed as a treatment for breast engorgement. Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of breast Oketani-massage therapy on neonatal weight gain among lactating women with breast engorgement. Method: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 100 postpartum (i.e., on the first five days of childbirth) women admitted to the Midwifery Clinic and Gynecology and Obstetric Department of Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, due to breast engorgement from August to November 2016. The subjects were divided into two groups, namely Oketani massage and routine care training, through random block allocation. The data were collected regarding neonatal weight gain before and after the intervention and analyzed in SPSS (version 20) using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The results revealed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of neonatal weight gain on within days 1-5 day before the intervention (P=0.17). However, a statically significant difference was observed between the two groups in this regard 14 and 28 days post-intervention (P<0.001). Implications for Practice: This study showed that breast Oketani-massage in comparison to the routine care increased the neonatal weight gain among lactating women with breast engorgement.