Effect of immersion bathing and showering applications on comfort level and physiological parameters of Newborn

This study aims to determine the effect of immersion bathing and showering on comfort levels and physiological parameters of newborns in neonatal intensive care units.

This is a randomized controlled experimental study. The sample consisted of a total of 69 newborns who were born at the 37th gestational week and above, were referred to the neonatal intensive care unit of a training and research hospital, and met the study inclusion criteria. Study groups were determined through randomization by throwing a dice (immersion bathing group:35, showering group:34). Environmental variables were kept the same for both groups. Physiological parameters (respiration, high heart rate, oxygen saturation, body temperature) and comfort levels of newborns in both groups were compared before, just after and 15 minutes after the bath. Their comfort levels were measured using the Newborn Comfort Behavior Scale (NCBS).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being a newborn born at the 37th gestational week and above,
• Completing 24 hours following the birth
• Having a stable condition (no tachycardia and bradycardia)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having respiratory failure and distress (having respiratory rate between 30-60, not being monitored in the ventilator, having oxygen saturation of 90% and above, having no need for high concentrations of oxygen via methods such as Hood and CPAP)
• Having signs of infection, fever and hypothermia (having an ideal body temperature between 36-37.3 ℃)
• Having neurological problems (hypotonia, hypertonics, etc.), no history of convulsions, using no sedative medication, and having a normal cranial USG.

newborn