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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Non-pharmacological pain relief interventions in preterm neonates undergoing screening for retinopathy of
Iretiola Bamikeolu Fajolu1, Iyabode Olabisi Florence Dedeke2, Beatrice Nkolika Ezenwa3
1Paediatrics, University of Lagos College of Medicine, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria ifajolu@unilag.edu.ng.
Insights
Non-pharmacological methods like gentle touch and music show promise for managing pain during retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening. However, more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness and guide routine practice.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Ophthalmology
- Pain management
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening is essential for premature infants.
- Painful procedures during ROP screening necessitate effective pain management strategies.
- Non-pharmacological interventions are being explored as alternatives or adjuncts to pharmacological methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions for pain reduction during retinopathy of prematurity screening.
- To evaluate the quality of evidence supporting these interventions.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive electronic search of multiple databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov) was performed.
- Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 2000 and May 2023 were included.
- Data extraction, risk of bias assessment (Cochrane Risk of Bias tool V.2), and quality of evidence grading (GRADE) were conducted.
Main Results:
- Twenty-one RCTs were analyzed, investigating interventions such as sweet taste, developmental care, touch, positioning, multisensory stimulation, and music.
- Sweet taste interventions and other non-pharmacological methods demonstrated a reduction in pain scores.
- The overall quality of evidence was rated as low to moderate due to concerns regarding randomization, outcome assessment, and reporting.
Conclusions:
- Gentle touch, nesting, positioning, music, multisensory stimulation, and developmental care show potential for pain management during ROP screening.
- Larger, well-designed studies are required to address current evidence limitations.
- Further research is needed before sweet taste interventions can be widely recommended for routine ROP screening.
Objective:
The objective of this review was to determine the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions for pain management during retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening.
Methods And Analysis:
Electronic search of Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Google Scholar and ClinicalTrials.gov (USA) was conducted. Search terms from the research question and inclusion criteria were used to select randomised control trials (RCT) published from January 2000 to May 2023. Relevant data were extracted, and risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool V.2. Critical appraisal and grading of the quality of evidence were done using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool for RCTs and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation, respectively.
Results:
Twenty-one RCTs were included; 14 used sweet taste, while 7 used modified developmental care, touch or positioning, multisensory stimulation, non-nutritive sucking or music. Six studies on sweet taste and all seven latter studies showed a difference in the pain scores in favour of the interventions. The quality of evidence was however judged low and moderate due to some concerns in the randomisation process, measurement of outcome assessment and selection of reported results domains.
Conclusion:
The use of gentle touch, nesting, positioning, music, multisensory stimulation and developmental care in reducing pain during ROP screening is promising, however, larger studies designed to eliminate the identified concerns are needed. More evidence is also needed before sweet taste interventions can be recommended in routine practice.
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