The effect of infantile anti-colic massage and kangaroo care on postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression and maternal function of mothers.

The study was done at one hospital outpatient clinic, so the results may not apply to other settings or populations. Mothers completed the techniques at home, and the study relied on their own reports of participation and correct practice. Six mothers dropped out, and the analysis included only mothers who completed the study, not all who were assigned. The control group also improved on maternal functioning, anxiety and depression, so some change may reflect time, routine care, or study contact rather than the taught technique alone. The authors did not test a Group by Time interaction because assumptions were violated, so the analysis is less able to describe how the groups changed over time. The sample required mothers who could read Turkish and use a smartphone, so it may not apply to families without those resources.

Do not conclude that colic massage or kangaroo care alone caused the improvement. All groups, including the control group, improved, and the intervention groups also continued routine care and received study contact, so the separate contribution of the taught technique cannot be isolated.