Soft skin massage for children with severe developmental disabilities: caregivers' experiences
Abstract
The present study was designed to elucidate relational and behavioural effects of soft skin massage in children with severe developmental disability as observed by those administering the massage. Sixteen children aged 7–20 years with congenital brain injury or early acquired brain injury received soft skin massage during a 10-week period. After the intervention period structured interviews were conducted with the soft skin massage providers concerning how they experienced the outcomes of the intervention. The interviews were analysed with qualitative content analysis. Categories found in the interviews concerned closeness, social interaction, bodily responses, feelings and importance of preparation. Soft skin massage was found to contribute to more closeness and social interaction between children with severe developmental disabilities and their caregivers, as well as increased communication skills in the children. The children became more aware of their bodies and increased their bodily activities and a sense of well-being was created.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15017410903491801 | Journal eISSN: 1745-3011
Language: English
Page range: 221 - 232
Submitted on: Feb 23, 2009
Accepted on: Oct 1, 2009
Published on: Feb 4, 2010
Published by: Stockholm University Press
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
© 2010 Ingela Henoch, Ann Björkdahl, Kristina Darfeldt, Ingrid Berglind Nordh, Kerstin Uvnäs Moberg, Anders Möller, published by Stockholm University Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.