Dilek Küçük Alemdar

Effects of Covering the Eyes versus Playing Intrauterine Sounds on Premature Infants' Pain and Physiological Parameters during Venipuncture

Background There is a need to assess the impact of initiatives to reduce exposure to environmental light and sound in preterm infants undergoing painful interventions in neonatal intensive care units. Objectives In this study, we aimed to identify the effect of covering the eyes and playing the intrauterine ambient sounds on premature infants’ pain and physiological parameters during venipuncture. Methods This was a randomized controlled trial. Ninety‐four preterm infants were randomly divided into three groups: intrauterine sounds (n = 32), covered eyes (n = 32), and control (n = 30) groups. Data were collected on the Preterm Infant Information Form, Preterm Infant Follow‐up Form, and Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS), used to assess pain. Results A significant difference was found between the intervention and control groups’ NIPS score after venipuncture, which was primarily due to covered eyes’ group. No significant difference was found between the intervention and control groups’ NIPS score during venipuncture. In addition, no significant difference was found between the intervention and control groups of infants physiological parameters before, during, and after venipuncture. The practice of covering preterm infants’ eyes during venipuncture positively affected their pain scores after venipuncture. Clinical Implications The effect of covering the eyes and playing the intrauterine ambient sounds in preterm infants may be recommended as simple, safe, and supportive stimuli that facilitate positive effects during painful procedures. HighlightsPrevention of procedural pain in neonates should be the goal of all caregivers.Although various studies have reported on individualized developmental care practices, the impact of initiatives to reduce environmental light and sounds for preterm infants undergoing painful procedures in the neonatal intensive care unit have not been studied sufficiently.

Supporting of the Fathers to Visit Their Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Decreases Their Stress Level: A Pretest–Posttest Quasi-Experimental Study

It is known that fathers whose infants are hospitalized in NICUs (Neonatal Intensive Care Units) are severely stressed. This study was conducted for the purpose of determining the effect of supporting and visiting infants in NICUs on stress levels of Turkish fathers. This was a pretest–posttest quasi-experimental study. The population of the study consisted of 47 fathers who had their infants receiving treatment in NICU at a state hospital in the eastern Turkey and agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected by using “Father-Infant Introductory Information Form” and “Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, PSS:NICU”. When comparing the PSS:NICU total mean scores of the fathers before and after interventions; it was determined that their mean scores were higher before visits compared to those obtained after interventions and the difference between them was significant at advanced level. It was found that the fathers visiting and supporting their infants in NICUs had the decreased stress levels. It is a useful nursing intervention to support fathers to visit their babies in NICUs and establish environments where they could spend time with their babies.It is known that fathers whose infants are hospitalized in NICUs (Neonatal Intensive Care Units) are severely stressed. This study was conducted for the purpose of determining the effect of supporting and visiting infants in NICUs on stress levels of Turkish fathers. This was a pretest–posttest quasi-experimental study. The population of the study consisted of 47 fathers who had their infants receiving treatment in NICU at a state hospital in the eastern Turkey and agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected by using “Father-Infant Introductory Information Form” and “Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, PSS:NICU”. When comparing the PSS:NICU total mean scores of the fathers before and after interventions; it was determined that their mean scores were higher before visits compared to those obtained after interventions and the difference between them was significant at advanced level. It was found that the fathers visiting and supporting their infants in NICUs had the decreased stress levels. It is a useful nursing intervention to support fathers to visit their babies in NICUs and establish environments where they could spend time with their babies.

Life Satisfaction and Psychological Status of Mothers with Disabled Children: A Descriptive Study

The purpose of this study is to determine the life satisfaction, general health conditions, and depression levels of mothers with disabled children and the problems they experienced. This descriptive study was conducted between 1 and 30 December 2014 in a rehabilitation center that renders services for totally 254 physically and mentally-disabled children in Turkey. 184 mothers participated in the study. The data were collected by using an information form, the life satisfaction scale, the general health questionnaire, and the Beck depression inventory. General Health Questionnaire scores of the mothers who had another disabled child and Beck Depression Inventory scores of the working mothers were significantly high. In addition, a significant difference was found between the scores of Life Satisfaction Scale, General Health Questionnaire, and Beck Depression Inventory by mothers who had difficulties regarding care of their children, were worried for their children, and experienced uncertainty with regard to the future.

Effect of recorded maternal voice, breast milk odor, and incubator cover on pain and comfort during peripheral cannulation in preterm infants

PURPOSE This study was conducted to assess the effect of recorded maternal voice, breast milk odor, and incubator cover on the pain and comfort of preterm infants during peripheral cannulation. METHODS This study was a randomized controlled trial. The sample of the study included 136 preterm infants who met the case selection criteria. The infants were randomly assigned to different groups. DATA COLLECTION TOOL In the study, a recorded maternal voice was played to the maternal voice group. The breast milk odor group was exposed to the odor of breast milk. The incubator cover group was covered by using an incubator cover before, during, and after the peripheral cannulation procedure on the infants in the experimental group. RESULT While no difference was observed between the groups before the peripheral cannulation procedure in terms of the total Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) scores, a significant difference existed between the PIPP scores during and after the procedure. This difference was due to the incubator cover group. CONCLUSION Breast milk odor, recorded maternal voice, and incubator cover in preterm infants are recommended as simple, safe, and supportive stimuli that facilitate positive effects during painful procedures.

The Effect of Spiritual Care on Stress Levels of Mothers in NICU

Hospitalization of an infant is a difficult situation for the family, and parents require support from the health care team during this difficult time. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of spiritual care on levels of stress in mothers with infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. This spiritual care study was performed by comparing control and spiritual care pre- and posttest groups. The study population included 62 mothers. The Mother–Baby Introductory Information Form and the Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS:NICU) were used for data collection. Prior to spiritual care, no significant difference was found between the mothers’ PSS:NICU scores, whereas following spiritual care, there was a significant difference between PSS:NICU scores of the mothers, in favor of the spiritual care group (p < .05). Findings indicate that nurses should be aware and consider the spiritual needs of mothers and must identify and meet these needs.

Effect of Smelling Amniotic Fluid on Comfort and Crying in Preterm Infants During Peripheral Cannulation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of smelling amniotic fluid on comfort and duration of crying caused by peripheral cannulation in preterm infants. This was a randomized controlled trial. The study sample consisted of 80 preterm infants meeting the case selection criteria. The infants were randomly assigned to experimental and control group. Upon exclusion of some infants from the study, total number of infants in both groups was 61. The infants in the amniotic fluid group smelled amniotic fluid for 15 minutes before, during, and for 15 minutes after the ap-plication of peripheral cannulation, whereas the infants in the control group did not undergo any in-tervention other than routine care. The level of comfort was significantly higher and the duration of crying lower in the infants from the amniotic fluid group as compared with control group before, during and after the procedure. The intervention of smelling amniotic fluid was found to be an effective practice that could be used for reducing the length of crying and increase comfort in preterm infants undergoing peripheral cannulation.