Volvulus without malrotation in paediatric massage therapy (n=17)
| First author (year), location Study design | Indication for treatment | AE Severity | n event/N population | Age/weight | Age at AE | Gender | Type of MT | MT practitioner | Outcome (grade) | Notes from study authors |
| Maas et al (2014),49 Germany Case–control | To stimulate peristalsis in extremely preterm infants | VWM Severe | 5/2 | 23.6–25.4 weeks GA; 370–630 g | 37–52 days after birth | 5 F | Abdominal massage 4–6 times/day | NS | 3 died (grade 5) 2 survived after surgery (grade 4) | Data did not support the hypothesis that abdominal massage was a risk factor for VWM; no further cases were diagnosed after the practice was discontinued |
| Zweifel et al (2013),50 Switzerland Case series | To stimulate peristalsis in preterm infants | VWM Severe | 3/3 | 27–31 weeks GA; 880 g | NS | 2 F 1 M | Repeated abdominal massage multiple times a day | Nurse | 3 survived after surgery (grade 4) | There may be a causal relationship between abdominal massage and VWM; no further cases were diagnosed after the practice was discontinued |
| Paraskevopoulos (2006),51 Switzerland Case series | To stimulate peristalsis | VWM Severe | 2/2 | 27 weeks GA | At 19th and 32nd day after birth | 2 F | Intensive abdominal massage every 3 h | Nurse | 2 survived after surgery (grade 4) | The infants had no other risk factors other than the abdominal massage; the practice was discontinued with no further cases since |
| Billiemaz et al (2001),52 France Case series | To stimulate peristalsis | VWM Severe | 7/7 | 27–29 weeks GA: 660–1100 g | Days 13–33 | 6 F 1 M | Abdominal massage | Healthcare provider | 1 died (grade 5) 6 survived after surgery (grade 4) | No new cases of VWM were seen after the practice was discontinued |
AE, adverse event; F, female; GA, gestational age; M, male; MT, massage therapy; NS, not stated; VWM, volvulus without malrotation.