Effect of Kinesio-taping Technique on Oral Feeding and Swallowing Functions: An Acoustic Analysis of Swallowing Sound in Late Preterm Infants

Problems such as poor nutrition, weak sucking, lack of suck-swallow-respiration coordination, low weight gain are among the factors increasing the risk of morbidity in late preterm infants. Early support of sucking and swallowing muscles for the development of suck-swallow coordination can shorten the maturation process and provide early discharge of late preterm infants. The aim of this study is to document kinesiotape technique to support sucking and swallowing muscles for treating nutritional problems and for reducing nutrition risks and accelerating maturation. According to power of analysis of this study, 74 infants planned to assign to kinesiotaping group or control group randomly. In kinesiotaping group, infants feeding performance will be evaluated by measuring the amount of milk invested, maximum heart rate, oxygen saturation, speed of milk intake and counting the number of swallow during feeding. Kinesiotape will be applied to masseter and hyoid muscles 24 hours later after the birth of the infant. Infants will be evaluated before kinesiotape application, 3 hour later and 24 hour later after the application.