Effect of Leg and Heel Massage on Pain During Heel Blood Collection Newborns

In this study, there will be two groups as the intervention (who will receive leg and heel massage) and the control group (who will receive routine care). A power analysis was performed based on the number of children in both groups, based on another study using the scales to be used in the research. According to the calculations made in the G-Power 3.1 Demo package program, when the effect size was accepted as 0.8, it was seen that at least 30 cases in each group would be sufficient for 80% power. Infants who meet the research criteria will be randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups via http://www.randomize.org/ by assigning a number to the order of arrival at the hospital. The heel blood collection will be applied to both the intervention and control groups. For children in the massage group, the massage will be applied to both legs and heels of the baby. Immediately before the procedure, each leg and heel will be massaged for three minutes. The control group will receive heel blood collection with routine care. A researcher and a nurse were employed for the heel blood collection both for the intervention and control groups. A pediatric nurse performed the heel blood collection for all infants and the other researcher helped the children to assess their pain, heart rates and Oxygen saturation. Measurements 5 minutes before the heel prick procedure, during the procedure (1st minute) and 5 minutes after the heel prick application. The heel blood collection will be performed by the same nurse both in the intervention and control groups.

Inclusion criteria

• Gestational age is 38-41 weeks,
• The birth weight of the newborn is >2500 g
• Vital signs should be stable before the procedure,
• Postanatal age is between 2-28 days,
• There are no contraindications for the application of massage
• Delivery of the newborn to the mother after birth
• Permission of the parents of the newborn participating in the research
• Fasting period less than 3 hours/fed 30 minutes before
• A newborn who does not cry before heel blood is taken

Exclusion criteria

• Newborns who need respiratory support,
• Newborns with any neurological disorders (seizures)
• Newborns using opioids or babies born to mothers using opioids
• Newborns taking muscle relaxants, sedatives, analgesics
• Babies with major congenital anomalies
• Babies with an APGAR score of less than 7 in 5 minutes,
• Newborns who have undergone any surgery
• Newborns with birth trauma (especially rapid births)
• There are situations that may prevent communication with parents (e.g. language problems).
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• Newborns planned to be transferred to another hospital