Non-pharmacological Pain Management in Term Neonates

Experimental Randomized Study: The Effect of White Noise and Facilitated Tucking Applications During Heel-Stick Sampling on Pain in Term Babies

A randomised clinical trial in a single centre. This study was performed to compare the effect of white noise, facilitated tucking, and their concerted application during heel-stick sampling on pain in term babies.

The study was conducted on 90 babies. Using stratification and blocking method, 30 babies were included in the white noise group (1st Group), 30 in facilitated tucking group (2nd Group), and 30 in white noise + facilitated tucking group (3rd Group). Pain scores of the babies in all groups before, during, and after the procedure were evaluated by two nurses independent from each other using Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS).

Aims and objectives: This study was performed to compare the effect of white noise, facilitated tucking, and their concerted application during heel-stick sampling on pain in term babies.

Design: A randomised clinical trial in a single centre. Methods: The study sample size was determined by the free-software G* Power. Based on the power analysis performed prior to the study in order to determine the number of babies to be included in the sample group (with β=0.14087 and α=0.05 risk, Power=0.85913), according to the study by Karakoc and Turker (2014), it was found that 27 neonates should be included in each group. The study was conducted on 90 babies, between July 1, 2017 - August 9, 2017. Using stratification and blocking method, 30 babies were included in the white noise group (1st Group), 30 in facilitated tucking group (2nd Group), and 30 in white noise + facilitated tucking group (3rd Group). Pain scores of the babies in all groups before, during, and after the procedure were evaluated by two nurses independent from each other using Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being term baby
• Being with mother
• Being a healthy baby
• Being able fed orally
• Being fed at least half an hour before the procedure
• Being able to draw blood at the first try (since the pain level will change on the second try)
• Agreed to participate in the study and gave verbal consent were included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having received analgesics and/or sedatives within the last 24 hours
• Having any complications that prevent pain evaluation (e.g. intracranial hemorrhage, neuromotor growth retardation, etc.)
• Having undergone any painful procedures within the last hour (e.g. blood drawing, aspiration, ophthalmologic examination, etc.)
• Prior history of surgery
• Being connected to mechanical ventilator