The effectiveness of Kinesio taping on nutritive sucking in premature infants admitted to the NICU: a randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT Objective Oral feeding is one of the greatest challenges for preterm infants and a cause of delay in discharge for these infants. Interventions that result in more rapid achievement of oral feeding are necessary for these infants. In a randomized trial, we investigated and compared the use of kinesio tape (KT) as a new approach to oral stimulation (OS) on the nutritive sucking of premature infants admitted to the NICU. Methods The randomized controlled experimental study was conducted on 26 preterm infants, 8 of whom were did not meet study criteria, and 18 enrolled and randomized. The infants were divided into two groups by the simple randomization method. In the KT group (n = 9), KT + OS was used, while in the OS group (n = 9), only OS was used. The number of days from the start of the intervention to the first and full oral feeding was compared between the two groups. Results and conclusions After the start of the intervention, infants in the KT group achieved the first and full oral feeding in significantly fewer days than the OS group (p = 0.025; p = 0.011). Premature infants who received KT with an oral stimulation program achieved the first and full oral feeding earlier than infants who received an oral stimulation program only. It appears that the use of KT + OS can effectively accelerate the achievement of feeding milestones. This is clinically significant and may reduce the length of stay (LOS) and ultimately the negative consequences and costs of hospitalization for this population.