Research Foundations
Lullaby Massage preserves established soft-tissue massage techniques*—but transforms their delivery through a developmentally tailored, down-regulating, multimodal approach designed specifically for young children.
The selection of peer-reviewed studies below documents benefits of massage for infants and children, including randomized controlled trials of caregiver-delivered massage. No adverse effects were reported across these studies.
Attachment Security and Felt Sense of Safety
Addabbo, M., Guida, E., Licht, V., & Turati, C. (2025). It's safe to look: Maternal touch affects infants' fear bias. Developmental Science, 28, e70039.
Norman, V. J., & Roggman, L. A. (2025). Effects of infant massage on infant attachment security in a randomized controlled trial. Infant Behavior and Development, 78, 102004.
Developmental and Medical Conditions
Bodison, S. C., & Parham, L. D. (2018). Specific sensory techniques and sensory environmental modifications for children and youth with sensory integration difficulties: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72(1), 7201190040p1. [Sensory integration]
Chen, S. C., Yu, B. Y., Suen, L. K., Yu, J., Ho, F. Y., Yang, J. J., & Yeung, W. F. (2019). Massage therapy for the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 42,389–399. [ADHD]
Chen, S. C., Yu, J., Wang, H. S., Wang, D. D., Sun, Y., Cheng, H. L., Suen, L. K. P., & Yeung, W. F. (2022). Parent-administered pediatric tuina for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in preschool children: A pilot randomized controlled trial embedded with a process evaluation. Phytomedicine, 102, 154191. [ADHD]
Cullen, L. A., Barlow, J. H., & Cushway, D. (2005). Positive touch, the implications for parents and their children with autism: An exploratory study. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 11(3), 182–189. [ASD]
Ekradi, S., Shahrbanian, S., Todd, T., & Hassani, F. (2024). Effects of physical activity and massage therapy on sleep disorders among children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 13, 185–201. [ASD]
Fadlalmola, H. A., et al. (2024). Effects of massage on self-regulatory difficulties, tactile and oral abnormalities, and parenting stress in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, 17(4), 4. [ASD]
Genik, L. M., McMurtry, C. M., Marshall, S., Rapoport, A., & Stinson, J. (2020). Massage therapy for symptom reduction and improved quality of life in children with cancer in palliative care: A pilot study. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 48, 102263. [Pediatric cancer]
Güçhan Topcu, Z., & Tomaç, H. (2020). The effectiveness of massage for children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review. Advances in Mind-Body Medicine, 34(2), 4–13. [Cerebral palsy]
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Largie, S., Hart, S., Redzepi, M., Nierenberg, B., & Peck, T. M. (2001). Children's distress during burn treatment is reduced by massage therapy. Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation, 22(2), 191–195. [Pain/anxiety]
Küçük Alemdar, D., Bulut, A., & Yilmaz, G. (2023). Impact of music therapy and hand massage in the pediatric intensive care unit on pain, fear and stress: Randomized controlled trial. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 71, 95–103. [Acute pain/anxiety]
Mahmood, Q., Habibullah, S., & Aurakzai, H. U. (2024). Effectiveness of simple and basic home-based exercise programs including pediatric massage executed by caregivers at their homes in the management of children with spastic cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, 17(1), 97–106. [Cerebral palsy]
Monfared, A., Amini, M., Abolghasemi, J., Mazouri, A., & Boroujeni, Z. D. (2026). Effect of massage with verbal contact by mothers of premature infants on maternal attachment and infant’s motor performance: A randomized controlled trial. Health Science Reports, 9(2), e71697. [Prematurity]
Piñero-Pinto, E., Romero-Galisteo, R. P., Jiménez-Rejano, J.-J., Escobio-Prieto, I., Peña-Salinas, M., Luque-Moreno, C., & Palomo-Carrión, R. (2023). A pilot randomised controlled trial on the effectiveness of infant massage on the acceptance, commitment and awareness of influence in parents of babies with Down syndrome. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 67(1), 35–48. [Down syndrome]
Ruan, H., Eungpinichpong, W., Wu, H., & Aonsri, C. (2024). Effects of parent-delivered traditional Thai massage on gait and heart rate variability in children with autism: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 30(3), 269–278. [ASD]
Ruan, H., Eungpinichpong, W., Wu, H., & Aonsri, C. (2026). Impact of parent-delivered traditional Thai massage on children with autism spectrum disorder and parenting stress: a randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 72(6), 1340–1351. [ASD]
Silva, L. M.,et al. (2015). Early intervention with a parent-delivered massage protocol directed at tactile abnormalities decreases severity of autism and improves child-to-parent interactions: A replication study. Autism Research and Treatment, 2015(1), 904585. [ASD]
Turan, E., Turan, M., Manav, G., & Kanğin, M. (2025). The Impact of Massage on Pain and Vital Signs Following Cardiovascular Surgery in Pediatric Patients. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 10-1097. [Acute pain]
Wu, J., Yang, F., Wang, Z., Wang, L., Tian, T., Xue, Z., & Sun, L. (2024). Pediatric massage therapy for treatment of tic disorders in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medicine, 103(12), e37568. [Tic disorders]
Zhang, Y., Duan, C., Cheng, L., & Li, H. (2023). Effects of massage therapy on preterm infants and their mothers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 11, 1198730. [Prematurity]
Sleep, Growth & Resilience
Chen, S.-C., Lin, S.-L., Wang, M., Cheung, D. S.-T., Liang, J.-G., Cheng, Z.-Y., Yuen, C. S., & Yeung, W.-F. (2024). Pediatric massage therapy in infants and children under 5 years: An umbrella review of systematic reviews. Heliyon, 10(16), e35993. [umbrella review]
Erçelik, Z. E., & Bal Yılmaz, H. (2023). Effectiveness of infant massage on babies' growth, mother–baby attachment and mothers' self-confidence: A randomized controlled trial. Infant Behavior and Development, 73, 101897.
Mindell, J. A., Lee, C. I., Leichman, E. S., & Rotella, K. N. (2018). Massage-based bedtime routine: Impact on sleep and mood in infants and mothers. Sleep Medicine, 41, 51–57.
Rezaei, R., Sharifnia, H., Nazari, R., & Saatsaz, S. (2023). Bedtime massage intervention for improving infant and mother sleep condition: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, 16(2), 271–278
Zayani, Z., Pabidang, S., & Maimunah, S. (2025). Effectiveness of infant massage and classical music therapy on sleep quality among children aged 6–12 months. Open Access Health Scientific Journal, 6(2), 242–248.
Attention, Regulation & Learning
Della Longa, L., & Farroni, T. (2026). The impact of affective touch on physiological self-regulation among preschool-age children: The influence of emotional context and effortful control. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 50(2), 200–212.
Gonçalves, L. L., Voos, M. C., Almeida, M. H. M. D., & Caromano, F. A. (2017). Massage and storytelling reduce aggression and improve academic performance in children attending elementary school. Occupational Therapy International, 2017, 5087145.
Hart, S., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., & Lundy, B. (1998). Preschoolers' cognitive performance improves following massage. Early Child Development and Care, 143, 59–64.
Scott, M. G., Smiley, P. A., Ahn, A., Lazarus, M. F., Borelli, J. L., & Doan, S. N. (2022). A mother's touch: Preschool-aged children are regulated by positive maternal touch. Developmental Psychobiology, 64(3).
Von Knorring, A.-L., Söderberg, A., Austin, L., & Uvnäs-Moberg, K. (2008). Massage decreases aggression in preschool children: A long-term study. Acta Paediatrica, 97(9), 1265–1269.
Mother-to-Child Bonding & Attunement, Maternal Depression & Wellbeing
Bell, A. F., Feldman, R., Bedrick, E. J., Fisher, J. M., Carter, C. S., MacLean, E. L., Tecot, S. R., & White-Traut,R. (2026). The efficacy of Massage+ on mother–infant synchrony in mothers with childhood adversity: A randomized controlled trial. Developmental Psychology. Advance online publication.
Bilsel, B. A., & Metin, B. (2024). The effect of touch and massage techniques applied to children on parental role perception and perceived stress. Journal of Graduate School of Health Sciences, 23, 722–736.
Frennessen, S., Persson, S., Einberg, E.-L., & Garmy, P. (2026). Exploring infant massage in child health care: An observational study of caregiver-infant interaction and group dynamics. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 90, 774–781.
Gilmartin, O., Sheridan, A., & Nugent, C. (2023). The effectiveness of mother-led infant massage on symptoms of maternal postnatal depression: A systematic review. PLOS ONE, 18(12), e0294156.
Gürol, A., & Polat, S. (2012). The effects of baby massage on attachment between mother and their infants. Asian Nursing Research, 6(1), 35–41.
Midtsund, A., Litland, A., & Hjälmhult, E. (2019). Mothers' experiences learning and performing infant massage—A qualitative study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 28(3–4), 489–498.
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.
Uncu, B., & Gök, H. (2025). The effect of newborn massage training on maternal attachment and postpartum depression: A randomized controlled trial. Nursing & Health Sciences, 27(2), e70112.
Vicente, S., Veríssimo, M., & Diniz, E. (2017). Infant massage improves attitudes toward childbearing, maternal satisfaction and pleasure in parenting. Infant Behavior and Development, 49, 114–119.
Supporting Higher-Risk Families
Clausen, J. M., Aguilar, R. M., & Ludwig, M. E. (2012). Fostering healthy attachment between substance dependent parents and their infant children. Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy, 11(4), 376–386.
Rana, D., Garde, K., Elabiad, M. T., & Pourcyrous, M. (2022). Whole body massage for newborns: A report on non-invasive methodology for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, 15(3), 559–565.
Oswalt, K. L., Biasini, F. J., Wilson, L. L., & Mrug, S. (2009). Outcomes of a massage intervention on teen mothers: A pilot study. Pediatric Nursing, 35(5), 284–289.
Van Doesum, K. T. M., Riksen-Walraven, J. M., Hosman, C. M. H., & Hoefnagels, C. (2008). A randomized controlled trial of a home-visiting intervention aimed at preventing relationship problems in depressed mothers and their infants. Child Development, 79(3), 547–561.
Windhorst, D. A., Klein Velderman, M., van der Pal, S., & de Weerth, C. (2023). The effects and process of the intervention "Individual Shantala Infant Massage" in preventive child healthcare to improve parent–child interaction. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 23, 231.
*Adapted from massage protocols developed and tested in peer-reviewed research at the Touch Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, including a 1998 study Dr. Hart co-authored with Dr. Tiffany Field. Similar protocols have since been used in numerous published studies, including a 2001 study on children in burn treatment that Dr. Hart also co-authored. Read the 1998 study Read the 2001 study
© 2026 Sybil L. Hart. All rights reserved.