Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
NICU Nurses' Attitudes Toward Adopting an Evidence-Based Practice Intervention to Improve Bone Mineralization in
Idamis Melendez Vassall1, Jennifer Emilie Mannino, Pamela Watters
1Author Affiliations: The Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing & Health Sciences, Molloy University, Rockville Centre, New York (Melendez Vassall and Mannino); Northwell Health, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, New York (Melendez Vassall and Perveen); and Office of Research and Scholarship, Molloy University, Rockville Centre, New York, New York (Watters).
Insights
NICU nurses have positive attitudes towards exercise interventions for preterm infants but lack knowledge of metabolic bone disease (MBD). Education on MBD and exercise techniques is recommended to improve care.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric bone health
- Evidence-based practice in nursing
Background:
- Metabolic bone disease (MBD) affects bone mineralization in preterm infants, with potential long-term consequences.
- Passive range of motion (ROM) and gentle compression show promise for improving bone health in this population.
- Underutilization of these interventions may stem from a lack of nursing literature and awareness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses' attitudes toward using passive ROM and gentle compression for preterm infants.
- To explore the relationship between nurses' knowledge of MBD and their implementation of these bone-healthy practices.
Main Methods:
- A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional survey was administered to 238 NICU nurses.
- The Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS) measured attitudes toward interventions.
- Surveys also assessed nurses' knowledge of MBD and current practice of passive ROM and gentle compression.
Main Results:
- Nurses demonstrated favorable attitudes towards evidence-based practice (EBPAS M = 2.92).
- Routine use of passive ROM was reported by 23.1% and gentle compression by 7.2% of nurses.
- Over half of nurses lacked knowledge regarding MBD etiology (53.4%) and its prevention/treatment (59.7%).
Conclusions:
- A significant gap exists between NICU nurses' positive attitudes and their knowledge regarding MBD and related interventions.
- Integrating MBD education and exercise techniques into NICU training is crucial.
- Standardizing these evidence-based practices can enhance bone health outcomes for preterm infants.
Background:
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a disorder affecting bone mineralization that leads to short and long-term consequences. A daily exercise regimen consisting of passive range of motion (ROM) and gentle compression of upper and lower extremities shows promising results in improving bone mineralization in preterm infants. However, the lack of nursing literature suggests that nurses may underutilize these interventions.
Purpose:
This study examined Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses' attitudes toward adopting passive ROM and gentle compression to improve bone mineralization in preterm infants and explored whether knowledge of MBD influences the implementation of these practices.
Methods:
A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional survey of 238 NICU nurses was conducted. The Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS) assessed attitudes toward evidence-based interventions. Additional questions evaluated nurses' knowledge of MBD and their use of passive ROM and gentle compression in clinical practice.
Results:
Results showed favorable attitudes toward evidence-based practice (EBPAS M = 2.92, SD = 0.565). In this sample, 23.1% of nurses reported routinely performing passive ROM, and 7.2% reported performing gentle compression of upper and lower extremities. The EBPAS demonstrated high reliability (α = 0.884) and strong convergent validity (r = 0.633). No significant differences were found by years of experience (P = .55) or certification (P = .39). Over half of respondents lacked knowledge about MBD etiology (53.4%) and prevention/treatment (59.7%).
Implications For Practice And Research:
Findings highlight a knowledge gap despite positive attitudes. Incorporating MBD education and exercise techniques into NICU training may help standardize these evidence-based interventions and improve outcomes for preterm infants.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Nursing Interventions II: Selecting and Classifying the Nursing Interventions
01:03Nursing Interventions I: Taxonomy of Nursing Interventions
A nursing intervention is a treatment or action based on scientific concepts and knowledge from the nursing, behavioral, and physical sciences. Identifying and prioritizing nursing interventions based on the desired outcome is...
01:15Nursing Implementation
The five steps to implementing effective nursing care include reassessing the patient, reviewing and revising the existing nursing care plan, organizing the resources and care delivery, anticipating and preventing complications, and implementing nursing interventions.
01:27Urinary Tract Calculi IV: Nutrition Therapy and Prevention
01:30Current Trends in Nursing II
01:21The Nativist Approach