Effectiveness of TUI NA Aromatherapy Massage on Weight Gain in Toddlers Aged 6-59 Months
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25047/ijhitech.v4i2.7724Keywords:
Aromatherapy, Complementary Therapies, oddler, Tui Na MassageAbstract
Feeding difficulties and inadequate nutritional intake may contribute to suboptimal weight gain in toddlers. Tui Na aromatherapy massage has been proposed as a complementary intervention to support appetite and digestive function. This study aimed to examine the difference in weight gain between toddlers receiving Tui Na aromatherapy massage and those receiving standard care. A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group was conducted among 36 toddlers aged 6–59 months, comprising an intervention group (n=18) and a control group (n=18). The intervention group received Tui Na aromatherapy massage for 30 minutes every morning for six consecutive days, while the control group received standard care. Body weight was measured at baseline and again four weeks after the initial measurement. Within-group changes were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test, while differences in weight gain between groups were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney test. The mean weight gain was 0.417 ± 0.23 kg in the intervention group and 0.061 ± 0.25 kg in the control group. The between-group comparison showed a statistically significant difference in weight gain (p<0.001). Although greater weight gain was observed in the intervention group, the findings should be interpreted cautiously because toddler growth may also be influenced by nutritional intake, feeding practices, illness history, and other factors. Tui Na aromatherapy massage may therefore be considered a potential complementary approach to support toddler weight gain. Further studies with longer intervention and follow-up periods and better control of potential confounding factors are warranted.
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