Abdominal Massage for Newborn Jaundice
Official title: Effects of Infant Abdominal Massage on Neonatal Jaundice: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Taichung Veterans General Hospital · NCT07747220 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Tests whether infant abdominal massage, added to routine care, can lower bilirubin levels in healthy full-term newborns.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 0 Days to 1 Day |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 84 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Taichung Veterans General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Taichung, Taiwan) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 11, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 30, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07747220 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Healthy full-term newborns (gestational age >= 37 weeks, birth weight >= 2500 g) with stable vital signs and parental consent.
✕Probably not a fit
Newborns with preterm status, very low birth weight, significant medical conditions, or indications for immediate phototherapy may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized, two-arm study will compare routine newborn care plus standardized abdominal massage to routine care alone in 84 healthy full-term newborns. The trial will look at bilirubin levels, stool changes, phototherapy needs, and hospital stay within the first 120 hours after birth. It uses block-randomization with concealed allocation to ensure balanced groups and safety monitoring throughout the intervention. The intervention is non-invasive and aims to determine feasibility, safety, and potential clinical benefits in neonatal jaundice management.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, abdominal massage could help reduce bilirubin levels and shorten hospital stay for some newborns.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggested possible bilirubin reduction with infant massage, but standardized evidence in healthy full-term newborns remains limited; this trial tests a standardized protocol.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Full-term newborns with a gestational age of 37 weeks or greater * Birth weight of 2,500 grams or greater * Apgar score of 7 or greater at 5 minutes after birth * Stable vital signs * No significant abnormal findings following examination by a physician after birth * Eligible to begin the study procedures at least 1 hour after the first feeding * Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian Exclusion Criteria: * Preterm newborns or newborns with very low birth weight * Congenital gastrointestinal abnormalities, abdominal wall defects, or conditions requiring surgery * Major congenital diseases or chromosomal abnormalities * Admission to a neonatal intensive care unit * Sepsis, respiratory distress, or other acute or critical medical conditions * Pathologic jaundice, including hemolytic jaundice or biliary atresia * Bilirubin levels meeting the criteria for immediate phototherapy or exchange transfusion * Abdominal skin infection, skin damage, or any condition making abdominal massage unsuitable * Considered unsuitable for participation by the attending physician
Where it's running
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1650 Taiwan Boulevard Sect. 4
Taichung, Taiwan, Taiwan Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Yueh-Chu Peng, PhD, RN — Taichung Veterans General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Yueh-Chu Peng, PhD, RN
- Email: yjpeng1978@gmail.com
- Phone: 886-4-23592525
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.