Effects of Three Different Methods in Reducing Pain During Heel Blood Collection

Among the non-pharmacological methods frequently used to reduce the effects of invasive interventions on the newborn; Practices such as reducing environmental stimuli, individualized developmental care, music therapy, breast milk, pacifier giving, sucrose, non-nutritive sucking, oral sucrose, kangaroo care, facilitated tucking position, and sweet solutions, massage and touching, positioning, nesting, kangaroo care, fetal positioning are included.

This study is a prospective, randomized and controlled trial. In this study aim, the effect of Breastfeeding, Vibration, and Breastfeeding+Vibration during heel blood collection on the pain levels in healthy term newborn's will be examined.

Sample of the study consisted of a total of 192 newborns who met the sample selection criteria and were selected via randomization method. Newborns were divided into four groups; Breastfeeding group (n=48), Vibration group (n=48), Breastfeeding+Vibration group (n=48), and Control group (n=48).

Data were collected using the Infant-family Information Form and NIPS-Neonatal Infant Pain Scale. Data collection All blood sampling was performed in a quiet nursery room between 09:00 AM and 11:00 AM, 1-2 hours after breastfeeding, the normal time when infants undergo heel stick for routine blood collection for metabolic screening. Blood collection was performed in a standardized manner by the same nurse who has a minimum of 5 years' experience in the performance heel stick and had no conflict of interest. A pediatrician made the clinical decision for heel stick.

Before the procedure, the newborns were kept in a quiet room far away from the cries of other babies. The infants' diapers were changed before procedure. For the heel stick procedure, the antiseptic solution (70% alcohol), heel stick method, heel region for sampling (the outer right side of the ball), needle (21-G needle), and environmental factors such as heat, light, and noise were all standardized. The whole procedure was video-recorded until three minutes after the procedure.

At the beginning of the study, the parents of the newborns were informed about the aim and content of the research, and parental approval was obtained. Neonatal and family demographics were collected using self-report information forms, which included medical history, mother's gestational age, neonatal age, sex, birth weight, duration of sampling, total crying time, processing time, and the time from the start of the first cry to the first crying during the process.

All blood sampling in the study was performed for clinical purposes, such as newborn metabolic screening tests, which were taken on the second to third days following birth. The standard protocol for blood sampling involved swabbing the heel with a small gauze pad with disinfectant, lancing the heel, and then gently squeezing the heel intermittently until the amount of blood required for clinical use was collected.

All procedures performed in the experimental and control groups were video recorded by the researcher from the beginning of the procedure. After the procedure the newborns' pain levels and crying duration were evaluated using the video recordings. Assessment of pain was conducted independently by the investigator and the nurse using NIPS. At the same time, the newborns' total procedural crying time, the duration of the procedure, and the first calming time were recorded. The total crying time of the newborns was measured from the start of crying due to heel stick to the complete cessation of crying. The time of the procedure was measured from the beginning to the end of the heel stick procedure. The calming time was measured from the time of the first cry to the first calming time.

Inclusion criteria

• Parents who volunteered and gave consent to participate in the research
• Full term neonates (38-42 weeks of gestation)
• Underwent heel stick blood drawing for routine metabolic screening,
• Aged 2 to 4 days
• Passed the hearing screening
• Birth weight between 2500-4400 grams
• Parents who know how to read, write and speak Turkish.

Exclusion criteria

• Parents with any mental problems
• Infants with any chronic disease and congenital anomalies.