Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

A Within-subjects Experimental Protocol to Assess the Effects of Social Input on Infant EEG
08:20

A Within-subjects Experimental Protocol to Assess the Effects of Social Input on Infant EEG

Published on: May 3, 2017

Effect of Automatic Infant Swing on Sleep-Wake Cycles and Comfort: A Randomized Controlled Study Protocol

Edanur Tar Bolacali1, Fatma Ertürk2, Beyza Özcan3

  • 1Department of Children Health and Disease Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kirsehir Ahi Evran University, Kirsehir, Turkey.

Nursing in Critical Care
|July 10, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This study protocol investigates automatic infant swings for newborns in neonatal intensive care units. It aims to provide evidence on how these swings affect infant sleep-wake cycles, comfort, and physiological stability.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing
  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Infant Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Sleep-wake regulation and comfort are critical for newborn neurodevelopment and stability in NICUs.
  • Evidence on non-pharmacological interventions like automatic infant swings is limited.
  • This study protocol addresses this gap by evaluating automatic infant swings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effects of an automatic infant swing on sleep-wake cycles in newborns.
  • To assess the impact of automatic infant swings on comfort behaviors and physiological parameters.
  • To provide evidence for enhancing neonatal intensive care nursing practices.

Main Methods:

  • A single-blind randomized controlled crossover trial involving 40 newborns (35-42 weeks gestation).
  • Sleep-wake cycles assessed using the Bispectral Index (BIS) in a cot bed versus an automatic infant swing.
  • Comfort behaviors and physiological parameters recorded at set intervals during 60-minute measurements.

Main Results:

  • The study protocol outlines the evaluation of sleep-wake cycles using BIS.
  • Comfort behaviors will be measured using the COMFORTneo scale.
  • Physiological parameters will be tracked using researcher-developed charts.

Conclusions:

  • This protocol will determine the effects of automatic infant swings on newborn sleep-wake cycles, comfort, and physiological parameters.
  • Findings may inform neonatal care practices, offering evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions.
  • The study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07284303).
Abstract

Keywords:
Bispectral indexNewborncomfortinfant swingsleep–wake cycle

More Related Videos

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults07:40

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults

Published on: January 26, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...