Clinical Trial

The Effect of Gentle Human Touch and Stimulus Reduction on Pain and Comfort During Heel Blood Collection in Premature Newborns

Recruiting
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Summary
Premature infants frequently experience painful procedures during their admission to neonatal intensive care units; this can lead to acute adverse events, imbalances, and long-term neurodevelopmental implications. This randomized controlled trial evaluates the impact of Gentle Human Touch (GHT) and rate change (eye mask and earplug) on pain and comfort during heel prick blood collection in premature infants (32-36+6 weeks gestational age). A total of 60 infants were randomly assigned to three groups: GHT, rate change, and standard care (pacifier). Pain was assessed using the Premature Infant Pain Profile-Revised (PIPP-R), and comfort was measured before, during, and after the procedure using the COMFORTneo operator. Physiological impact (heart rate, oxygen saturation) and propagation time were recorded. The findings provide evidence for safe and effective non-pharmacological interventions in pain management and their inclusion in developmental care protocols.
Trial Details
NCT Number NCT07715682
Lead Sponsor Kubra Nur Kabakcı Sarıdağ
Conditions Premature, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Touch, Nursing Care
Enrollment 60 participants
Start Date 2026-04-20
Primary Completion 2026-09 (estimated)
Study Completion 2026-12 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov 2026-07-20