J Korean Acad Child Health Nurs.  2006 Apr;12(2):204-214.

Effects of Yakson Therapy on Maternal Attachment and Attachment Behavior in Mother of Preterm Infants

• Im HS
• Park ES

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of Yakson therapy conducted by the mother of preterm infants on maternal attachment and attachment behavior. METHOD: A quasi experimental pre-post test design was used. The data were collected from January, to October, 2005. The participants were 30 mothers of preterm infants hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (15 in the Yakson therapy group and 15 in control group). Yakson therapy consisted of three phases: laying on hands, caressing by a hand, and laying on hands again. Each phase took 5 minutes. Yakson therapy was provided to infants in the experimental group for 15-minutes 5 times a day for 15 days. Data were analyzed using the SAS program with Chi square-test, repeated measures ANOVA, and Fisher's exact test.
RESULTS
Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significantly higher scores in maternal attachment (F=5.54, p=.0258). The attachment behavior of the experimental group was also higher than that of the control group.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that Yakson therapy can be used to improve maternal attachment and attachment behavior.

Keyword

Premature infant; Maternal attachment; Attachment behavior

MeSH Terms

Evaluation Studies as Topic
Hand
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature*
Intensive Care, Neonatal
Mothers*
Child Health