Evaluating Gentle Human Touch and Sensory Reduction to Ease Pain During Heel Blood Tests in Premature Infants Born 32 to 366 Weeks

What this Trial Is About

Premature infants in neonatal intensive care often undergo painful procedures that can cause immediate and long-term developmental issues. This trial investigates how Gentle Human Touch GHT and sensory reduction using eye masks and earmuffs affect pain and comfort during heel prick blood collection in premature babies born between 32 and 366 weeks gestational age. The goal is to find non-drug methods that can safely ease pain and improve care practices. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups the Gentle Human Touch group, the Environmental Modification group eye mask and earmuffs, or the Standard Care group using a pacifier. The interventions are applied 3 to 5 minutes before, during, and after the heel prick procedure. The GHT involves specific hand positioning by a trained nurse for 15 minutes, while the environmental modification uses disposable, noise-reducing ear protectors and light-blocking eye masks. The standard care group follows routine finger feeding during the procedure. Throughout the study, researchers measure pain and comfort levels before, during, and after the procedure using specialized scales PIPP-R and COMFORTneo. They also monitor physiological responses such as heart rate and oxygen saturation, as well as crying duration. These assessments help evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions in managing procedural pain. The study is designed to ensure safety and comfort while contributing to improved developmental care for premature infants.

The Effect of Gentle Human Touch and Stimulus Reduction on Pain and Comfort During Heel Blood Collection in Premature Newborns