The effect on pain level and comfort of foot massages given by mothers to newborns before heel lancing: Double‐blind randomized controlled study

Abstract

Introduction: In addition to pharmacological methods, non-pharmacological methods can also be used for reducing pain and increasing comfort during invasive procedures in newborn babies. This study was conducted to determine the effect on pain level and comfort of foot massages given by mothers to newborns before heel lancing.Methods: This is a double-blind randomized controlled experimental study. The sample consisted of 128 newborns including 64 in the intervention group and 64 in the control group. The Newborn Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) and Newborn Comfort Behavior Scale (NCBS) were used to collect the data, along with questionnaires for information on the newborn and mother. The researcher explained to each mother in theory how to do a foot massage at least 2 h before the heel lancing procedure. Mothers then drew random assignments to either an intervention group that would give a foot massage for 3 min with baby oil, or a control group that simply waited 3 min, immediately prior to the lancing.Results: It was determined that the foot massage performed by the mother reduced the pain level of babies, increased their comfort levels, and decreased their distress levels. Conclusion:Nurses play an active role in defining and evaluating the newborn's responses to pain. It is thought that this study will guide nurses working in the clinic in reducing the acute pain that develops with invasive interventions performed on newborns and in preventing the negative effects of pain on the newborn.

Effects of Infant Massage: A Systematic Review

“…The effects on pain were examined in seven studies that included a total of 717 children [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Pain during blood sampling was examined in five studies [ 20 , 22 , 24 , 25 , 26 ], postoperative pain was examined in one study [ 21 ], and colic pain was examined in one study [ 23 ].…”

“…The effects on pain were examined in seven studies that included a total of 717 children [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Pain during blood sampling was examined in five studies [ 20 , 22 , 24 , 25 , 26 ], postoperative pain was examined in one study [ 21 ], and colic pain was examined in one study [ 23 ]. More than half of the studies showed a significant difference in pain between the intervention and control group, regardless of the measuring instrument, type of massage, and the child’s gestational and actual age [ 20 , 22 , 25 , 26 ].…”

“…In the five studies that examined pain during sampling, pain during massage was reduced compared to controls [ 20 , 22 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]; in four of these studies, the difference was statistically significant [ 20 , 22 , 25 , 26 ]. In the study by Roshanray et al [ 24 ], two interventions (mother’s hug and infant massage) were compared against the control group.…”

“…The gestational age of the children in the studies varied, with both premature and full-term children being examined. In three of the studies, healthy full-term children ( n = 402) born at weeks 37–42 were examined [ 22 , 24 , 25 ]. Zargham-Boroujeni et al [ 26 ] examined full-term or near-full-term children ( n = 75), where gestational age was described as older than 34 weeks, whereas Chik et al [ 20 ] examined children ( n = 80) born between weeks 30–40.…”

“…Zargham-Boroujeni et al [ 26 ] examined full-term or near-full-term children ( n = 75), where gestational age was described as older than 34 weeks, whereas Chik et al [ 20 ] examined children ( n = 80) born between weeks 30–40. The children in all studies [ 20 , 22 , 24 , 25 , 26 ] were described as newborns, and Chik et al [ 20 ] clarified that the children were up to one week old.…”