Use of Crocheted Octopuses for Managing Venipuncture Pain in Preterm Infants: A Prospective Cohort Study

This prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate whether using a crocheted octopus reduces procedural pain during venipuncture in preterm neonates. The study compared two time-based cohorts: one receiving standard care and one receiving a nurse-led tactile intervention using a crocheted octopus. The study included 122 preterm neonates (<36 weeks' gestational age) admitted to a NICU in Iraq, with 61 infants per cohort. Procedural pain was assessed using the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) total score. Neonates in the intervention group had significantly lower PIPP scores compared with controls (mean 7.15 vs 11.67; p < 0.0001). No significant differences were found in gestational age or behavioral state scores. The crocheted octopus proved to be a feasible, safe, low-cost, and nurse-led intervention for managing pain in preterm neonates, particularly in resource-limited NICU settings with minimal parental involvement.