Massaging neonates and infants has been an important component of infant rearing in many traditions and has been practiced globally over the years. The practice of neonatal massage has gained recent favor in many neonatal care units in developed countries. Recent evidence from human and animal studies suggests that topical application of certain oils may improve skin barrier function, resulting in a number of potential benefits to neonatal health. Baby massage is now considered to play an important role in a baby's development, as it has many proven health benefits as well as encouraging bonding between parents and baby. It can assist children and infants in achieving age-appropriate gross motor skills.

Dabur Lal Tail is manufactured as per classical method by Dabur India Limited in GMP manufacturing plants under Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturing Licence, as a proprietary Ayurvedic Medicine. Dabur Lal Tail contains natural ingredients like Till Tail, Ratanjyot, Shankha Pushpi, Camphor and Urad. As per the authentic ayurvedic literature, Till Tail or Sesame Oil helps to improve strength and is beneficial for post-massage sleep, Ratanjyot is found to be useful to prevent skin diseases, Shankhapushpi tail is useful in general weakness, Camphor helps to improve blood circulation and Urad helps to nourish muscles & bones.

A placebo controlled randomized prospective comparative study was conducted at Department of Pediatrics, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi, Wardha Maharashtra to assess the efficacy and safety of Dabur Lal Tail Massage in the Growth and Behavioral Assessment of Neonates and Infants. Dr. Jayant Vagha, Professor of Pediatrics and Dr. Bhavana Lakhkar, Professor & Head of Department of Pediatrics participated in the study as investigators. The comparison was done between the groups - Dabur Lal Tail, Standard marketed brands, Commonly used standard oil, Talcum Powder and No Massage. The subjects were recruited from Pediatric Out Patient Department after due consideration of inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Permission was obtained from Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) prior to conduct the clinical study. A written informed consent was also obtained from subject's Parents. Full term normal babies of both sexes with height and weight appropriate to age (between the age group of 7 days to 6 months) were enrolled in the study. These babies were divided into different groups. The mothers were given instructions and training for uniformity of massage strokes in terms of technique (force and direction) and time spent on massaging an individual body part. Each subject's parent was asked to use the assigned investigational product for 10 weeks (from baseline) as per the application schedule. The participant's parent was called for evaluation after every 2 weeks and the respective trial medicine for two week's application was handed over to them on each follow-up visit. Subjects were assessed on basis of improvement in anthropometrical measurements, infant's sleep questionnaire, subjects and investigator's global assessments for therapeutic response at each visit. Any adverse drug reaction/adverse events reported were also recorded in case record forms. The therapeutic end point was calculated after 10 weeks of massage with trial drug.

The demographic details of recruited subjects showed an almost equal distribution of male and female children in all the groups. The age wise distribution of children was comparable in all groups.

Physical Growth
Along with other anthropometrical measurement, the weight gain velocity and velocity of length change was calculated. Growth Velocity in terms of weight was almost two times in Dabur Lal Tail group as compared with the no massage group and this increase in the Growth Velocity was observed at various time intervals i.e. 28 days, 42 days, 52 days and 70 days when compared with the baseline. Evaluation of growth can be further reinforced by rate of increase in crown to heel length of the infants. There was also increase in velocity of change in length almost two times in Dabur Lal Tail group as compared to no massage oil group when compared with baseline.

Thus increase in rate of Length change along with rate of gain in weight further reinforces that massaging with Dabur Lal Tail leads to DOUBLY FASTER PHYSICAL GROWTH.

Head circumference in all groups was found in line with the normal growth curve of Indian population while the changes in mean mid arm circumference and mid leg circumference were found to be clinically better in massage group.

Behavioral Growth
The effect of massage on behavior, before, during and post massage was also studied through alert or drowsy state, mood, activity, cooperation, and nervous behavior. Oil massages showed more positive behavior in neonates and infants than those with no massage group. The subjective assessment by parents showed that the sleep was improved in more than 80% of children, who had undergone oil massage. The better results were observed in Dabur Lal Tail group. Similar improvements were also observed on other parameters assessed by parents for activity, appetite, muscle mass, bone strength and overall improvement. This shows a positive effect of oil massage on these parameters.

No adverse events were reported during the course of study.

To conclude it can be summarised as

1. All types of oil Massages may help in better growth and development including the physical and behavioural growth of children.
   
   
2. The growth velocity as well as velocity of change of length was found to be more than two times in Dabur Lal Tail group in comparison to no oil massage group
   
   
3. Oil massage improves sleeping pattern in children and Dabur Lal Tail massage was found to be better than that of other massages
   
   
4. Massage with Dabur Lal Tail was found to be safe in babies
   
   
5. No adverse events were reported during the course of study
   
   
6. An improvement in the activity and appetite was noted post massage.