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The Effect of Auricular Massage on Naso-Oral Suctioning Procedural Pain in Premature Neonates: A Randomized
Reem A Ali1, Roa'a F Obeidat1, Arwa I Oweis1
1Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing-Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Insights
Auricular massage significantly reduces pain in premature neonates during painful NICU procedures. This 3-minute nonpharmacological intervention offers effective pain relief for vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Intensive Care
- Pain Management
- Nonpharmacological Interventions
Background:
- Premature neonates in the NICU experience significant pain from procedures.
- Effective pain management is crucial to prevent long-term complications.
- Auricular massage shows promise as a nonpharmacological pain relief method.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a 3-minute auricular massage in reducing pain in premature neonates undergoing nasal and oral suctioning.
- To assess auricular massage as a nonpharmacological pain management strategy in a Jordanian NICU setting.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial with a single-blind crossover design was used.
- Premature neonates were assigned to receive auricular massage or no massage after suctioning, with a crossover after 2 days.
- Pain was measured using the Premature Infant Pain Profile-Revised (PIPP-R) scale.
Main Results:
- No significant baseline differences were found between neonates based on gender, gestational age, or body weight.
- Pain scores were significantly lower when auricular massage was applied (mean=3.63) compared to when it was not (mean=10.23).
Conclusions:
- A 3-minute auricular massage is an effective nursing intervention for pain relief in premature neonates.
- Auricular massage is a viable nonpharmacological option for managing pain in NICU infants.
- This intervention can enhance the comfort and care of vulnerable premature infants.
Background:
In the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), premature neonates frequently endure painful procedures that can lead to long-lasting sequelae, underscoring the critical need for safe and effective pain management strategies. Auricular massage has demonstrated significant benefits for children, including anxiety and stress relief. Investigating its effectiveness in alleviating pain in neonates could introduce a valuable nonpharmacological approach to pain management, enhancing the overall care and comfort of these vulnerable infants.
Objective:
This research is aimed at studying the effectiveness of a 3-min session of auricular massage in reducing pain caused by nasal and oral suctioning among premature neonates in the NICU in Jordan.
Methods:
A randomized controlled trial employing a single-blind crossover design was conducted in a single hospital. Preterm neonates were randomly assigned to one of two conditions. In Condition I, neonates initially received auricular massage treatment after suctioning, followed, after 2 days, by no massage after suctioning. Conversely, in Condition II, neonates had the reversed sequence, starting with no massage and then receiving auricular massage treatment after 2 days. Pain levels in the neonates were assessed using the Premature Infant Pain Profile-Revised (PIPP-R) scale.
Results:
Data from 60 preterm neonates were analyzed using the SPSS Version 28. Chi-square and independent t-tests revealed no significant differences between neonates in the study conditions based on gender (p = 0.43), gestational age (p = 0.41), and body weight (p = 0.35). Paired t-test results indicated a significant difference in pain scores when comparing periods of auricular massage to periods without massage. The mean pain score following auricular massage was 3.63 (SD = 2.36), whereas it was 10.23 (SD = 2.40) in the absence of massage.
Conclusion:
Auricular massage for a 3-min duration is an effective nursing intervention that warrants consideration as a nonpharmacological method of pain relief for premature neonates during admission to the NICU.
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