EFEKTIVITAS PIJAT TUI NA TERHADAP PENINGKATAN NAFSU MAKAN PADA BALITA DI POSYANDU MELATI

Effectiveness of Tui Na Massage on Improving Appetite in Toddlers at Melati Integrated Health Post

Abstract

Penurunan nafsu makan pada balita merupakan masalah krusial yang dapat memicu malnutrisi dan gangguan tumbuh kembang yang bersifat ireversibel. Pijat Tui Na sebagai salah satu terapi komplementer non-farmakologis berpotensi menyelaraskan fungsi pencernaan secara aman dan ekonomis. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis efektivitas pemberian terapi pijat Tui Na terhadap peningkatan nafsu makan pada balita di Posyandu Melati tahun 2026. Jenis penelitian ini adalah kuantitatif dengan desain pre-experimental menggunakan pendekatan one group pretest-posttest. Sampel dalam penelitian ini berjumlah 30 balita yang dipilih menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Intervensi yang diberikan berupa terapi pijat Tui Na berdurasi 15–20 menit per sesi, dengan frekuensi 2 kali seminggu selama 4 minggu. Data dikumpulkan melalui lembar observasi dan wawancara, kemudian dianalisis menggunakan uji statistik non-parametrik Wilcoxon. Sebelum intervensi, mayoritas balita mengalami masalah nafsu makan kurang (80,0%) dan frekuensi makan <3 kali/hari (73,3%). Setelah diberikan terapi pijat Tui Na selama 4 minggu, terjadi peningkatan signifikan di mana 86,7% balita memiliki nafsu makan yang baik dan 90,0% memiliki frekuensi makan ≥ 3 kali/hari. Hasil uji Wilcoxon menunjukkan nilai p-value sebesar 0,001 (p < 0,05), yang berarti hipotesis penelitian diterima. Efektivitas pijat Tui Na terjadi melalui stimulasi sistem saraf parasimpatis yang meningkatkan motilitas saluran cerna, memperbaiki fungsi pencernaan, dan merangsang pelepasan hormon yang berperan dalam regulasi rasa lapar sehingga nafsu makan anak meningkat.

Abstract

Decreased appetite in toddlers is a crucial problem that may lead to malnutrition and irreversible growth and developmental disorders. Tui Na massage, as a non-pharmacological complementary therapy, has the potential to improve digestive function in a safe and cost-effective manner. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of Tui Na massage therapy in improving appetite among toddlers at Posyandu Melati in 2026. This quantitative study employed a pre-experimental design with a one-group pretest–posttest approach. The sample consisted of 30 toddlers selected using purposive sampling. The intervention involved Tui Na massage therapy administered for 15–20 minutes per session, twice a week for four weeks. Data were collected using observation sheets and interviews and were analyzed using the Wilcoxon non-parametric statistical test. Prior to the intervention, the majority of toddlers experienced poor appetite (80.0%) and had a meal frequency of less than three times per day (73.3%). After four weeks of Tui Na massage therapy, a significant improvement was observed, with 86.7% of toddlers demonstrating good appetite and 90.0% achieving a meal frequency of three or more times per day. The Wilcoxon test yielded a p-value of 0.001 (p < 0.05), indicating that the research hypothesis was accepted. The effectiveness of Tui Na massage is associated with stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which enhances gastrointestinal motility, improves digestive function, and promotes the release of hormones involved in appetite regulation, thereby increasing children’s appetite.