The Effect of Tactile – Kinesthetic Stimulation on Bone Mineralization and Length among Stunting Children Aged 6-11 Months

Abstract

Background. Stunting is growth faltering caused by as poor nutrition, recurrent infections, a lack of psychosocial stimulation. Growth faltering is associated to bone growth disorder.  In order to prevent and overcome stunting not only nutrition but also an adequate stimulation is needed. This study looked at the effects of tactile – kinesthetic stimulation on bone mineralization, osteocalcin levels and body length among stunting children.

Method. Eighty stunting children (mean of age 8 ± 1,71) were randomly assigned into two groups (n = 40 each group). Tactile – Kinesthetic Stimulation (TKS) was administrated by trained parents twice daily for three months in the intervention group. The control group was given a routine care of stunting program from public health center. The bone mineralization (osteocalcin serum) and length of body in both groups were measured at enrollment and after week twelve.

Results and Discussion. During the 3 moths TKS period, the intervention group had a significant increment in length and osteocalcin serum compared to control group (p < 0.005) at 3.17 cm and 11.5 ng/ml respectively. Moreover, this study also showed that providing TKS demonstrated a strong correlation in a positive direction to length. The TKS treatment could increase the length of stunting children by 86.5%. There was a positive correlation among osteocalcin levels, intake of vitamin A, protein and calcium on improving length (p<0.05).

Conclusion. TKS was significantly effective in promoting bone mineralization particularly osteocalcin levels and length among stunting children. There was also a strong correlation that TKS could elevate the length of 0.865-times.