Project Description
This doctoral capstone project aims to address mental health in women during their postpartum transition through the process of implementing infant massage as well as examine the effectiveness of virtual infant massage education from an occupational therapy perspective.
"I feel like this helped to create a stronger bond that is special to he and I."
Project Planning
Prior to the start of the capstone experience, extensive planning had to be completed in order to determine the need for the project. Below you will find the links to my needs assessment and literature review. These were completed with evidence-based research from public domains in order to determine need.
Literature Review
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a form of depression that occurs within the first year of giving birth, and it affects approximately 1 in 7 women. Signs and symptoms of PPD include changes in feelings, changes in everyday life, and changes in how mothers think about themselves or their babies (March of Dimes, 2019).
Infant massage is one way in which parents can improve the bond between themselves and their infants (Porreca et al., 2017). Infant massage is described as a form of communication that empowers parents by giving them the means by which they learn to become experts on their children (Vimala McClure, 2021). Occupational therapy practitioners can utilize infant massage education and training to support maternal bonding and engagement in occupations (AOTA, 2020; Frolek et al., 2020). Although evidence supports the use of infant massage for mothers with PPD, there is limited research on the application of virtual infant massage education. The current study will examine the effectiveness of virtual infant massage education from an occupational therapy perspective.
Project Outcomes
Deliverable #1:
An infographic with data and results gathered from mothers who participated in the infant massage class
Deliverable #2:
Certificate(s) of Completion of online continuing education course(s) on postpartum depression and occupational therapy
Deliverable #3:
Manuscript with responses to interview questions from experts in the postpartum and perinatal health fields
Deliverable #4:
PowerPoint and resources from Lunch and Learn with specialty clubs at Huntington University
Deliverable #5:
Pre- and post-surveys completed by mothers who participated in the infant massage class
Future Directions
My goal is to continue to advocate for and educate to mothers who are experiencing postpartum depression. I also aim to provide educational resources to occupational therapy practitioners to provide additional support for parents to engage with their infant and in their infant’s care in order to reach more positive family outcomes. By advocating, educating, and supporting mothers as well as occupational therapy practitioners with the resources I have produced during my doctoral capstone experience, I aim to ensure the best practice is provided to all mothers who are receiving care. If you are interested in this topic as well or have any questions, feel free to reach out! My contact information is as follows:
(p) 269-423-2747 | (e) elmorekaylee@gmail.com
References
Altimier, L., & Phillips, R. M. (2013). The neonatal integrative developmental care model: Seven neuroprotective core measures for family-centered developmental care. Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews, 13, 9–22. http://dx/doi.org/10.1053/j.nainr.2012.12.002
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (4th ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(Suppl. 2), 7412410010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S2001
Badr, L. K., Ayvazian, N., Lameh, S., & Charafeddine, L. (2018). Is the effect of postpartum depression on mother-infant bonding universal? Infant Behavior & Development, 51, 15–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2018.02.003
Dubber, S., Reck, C., Müller, M. et al. Postpartum bonding: the role of perinatal depression, anxiety and maternal–fetal bonding during pregnancy. Archives of Women’s Mental Health 18, 187–195 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-014-0445-4
Frolek Clark, G., & Kingsley, K. L. (2020). Practice guidelines—Occupational therapy practice guidelines for early childhood: Birth–5 years. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74, 7403397010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.743001
Hosseini-Baharanchi, F. S., Dehkordi, Z. R., Kazemian, A., Madiseh, M. R., Reisi, M., Motaghi, B. (2019). The effects of infant massage on maternal postpartum depression: A randomized controlled trial. Nursing and Midwifery Studies, 8(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.4103/nms.nms_80_17
Infant Massage USA. (n.d.) Why infant massage? Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.infantmassageusa.org/benefits-class-information
March of Dimes. (n.d.). Postpartum depression. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/postpartum/postpartum-depression
McClure, V. S. (2021). Infant massage: A handbook for loving parents. Souvenir Press.
Midtsund, A., Litland, A., Hjälmhult, E. (2018). Mothers’ experiences learning and performing infant massage—a qualitative study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 28(3-4), 489–498. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14634
Moehler, E., Brunner, R., Wiebel, A. et al. Maternal depressive symptoms in the postnatal period are associated with long-term impairment of mother–child bonding. Archives of Women’s Mental Health 9, 273–278 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-006-0149-5
O'Higgins, M., St James Roberts, I., & Glover, V. (2008). Postnatal depression and mother and infant outcomes after infant massage. Journal of Affective Disorders, 109(1-2), 189–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2007.10.027
Onozawa, K., Glover, V., Adams, D., Modi, N., & Kumar, R. C. (2001). Infant massage improves mother-infant interaction for mothers with postnatal depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 63(1-3), 201–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0327(00)00198-1
Porreca, A., Parolin, M., Bozza, G., Freato, S., & Simonelli, A. (2017). Infant massage and quality of early mother-infant interactions: Are there associations with maternal psychological wellbeing, marital quality, and social support?. Frontiers in psychology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28144222/
Reck, C., Zietlow, A. L., Müller, M., & Dubber, S. (2016). Perceived parenting stress in the course of postpartum depression: the buffering effect of maternal bonding. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 19(3), 473–482. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-015-0590-4
Ross K, Heiny E, Conner S, Spener P, Pineda R. Occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology in the neonatal intensive care unit: patterns of therapy usage in a level IV NICU. Res Dev Disabil. 2017;64:108–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2017.03.009.
Tietz, A., Zietlow, AL. & Reck, C. Maternal bonding in mothers with postpartum anxiety disorder: the crucial role of subclinical depressive symptoms and maternal avoidance behaviour. Archives of Women’s Mental Health 17, 433–442 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-014-0423-x