Evaluating Multisensory Stimulation to Reduce Pain During Heel Blood Sampling in Healthy Newborns Including Breastfeeding, Stroking, Singing, and Eye Contact

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether multisensory stimulation can reduce pain in healthy newborns during heel blood sampling, a routine but painful procedure. This randomized controlled trial compares a multisensory stimulation group with a control group. The study aims to understand if combining breastfeeding, gentle stroking, maternal singing, and eye contact can lessen pain, crying, and physiological stress in newborns. The multisensory stimulation includes breastfeeding and gentle stroking starting 10 minutes before heel blood sampling and continuing until 5 minutes after, while maternal singing and eye contact are maintained throughout the procedure. The control group will receive routine care with the newborn held in the mothers arms without additional interventions. The study measures pain scores, crying duration, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and procedure duration to compare the two approaches. Participants will be monitored before, during, and after the heel blood sampling procedure. Researchers will assess pain using the N-PASS pain score, measure heart rate and oxygen saturation, and record crying and procedure durations. The studys findings may help develop a safe and practical non-drug method to manage pain during newborn screening procedures. The study is sponsored by Baskent University and is planned to run until August 2026.

Effect of Multisensory Stimulation on Pain During Heel Lance in Newborns