Effects of Physical and Auditory Interventions on Pain in Premature Infants

Kara HarrisonFollow

Advisor(s)

Zachariah Shumaker, Megan Lieb, Jamie Hunsicker

Confirmation

1

Document Type

Poster

Location

ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room

Start Date

11-4-2025 11:00 AM

End Date

11-4-2025 11:50 AM

Abstract

Abstract

Problem: Premature infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) undergo multiple painful procedures daily. These procedures cause infants to experience increased stress and pain. Prolonged exposure to pain and increased stress levels can affect premature infants’ behavioral and neurologic development. Proper pain management is crucial in promoting the growth and health of these infants. Non-pharmacologic interventions have been found to be a safe and effective method of pain management.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of physical and auditory non-pharmacologic interventions on premature infants’ pain levels during painful procedures.

Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study that will measure infant pain levels before, during, and after a heel stick using the Premature Infant Pain Profile-Revised (PIPP-R), which evaluates facial expression, body movement, and crying intensity. Infants will be split into three different intervention groups: a swaddling group, a white noise group, and a combination group where infants are both swaddled and exposed to white noise. PIPP-R scores will be compared between the three groups to determine effectiveness of the interventions.

Conclusion: The results of this study will contribute to clinical understanding of pain perception and pain management of premature infants in the NICU setting. It is expected that the swaddling intervention and the combination intervention will have a greater influence on pain compared to the white noise group. This research can offer potential strategies to implement best practice to combat pain in premature infants that must endure routine painful procedures.

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Apr 11th, 11:00 AM Apr 11th, 11:50 AM

Effects of Physical and Auditory Interventions on Pain in Premature Infants

ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room

Abstract

Problem: Premature infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) undergo multiple painful procedures daily. These procedures cause infants to experience increased stress and pain. Prolonged exposure to pain and increased stress levels can affect premature infants’ behavioral and neurologic development. Proper pain management is crucial in promoting the growth and health of these infants. Non-pharmacologic interventions have been found to be a safe and effective method of pain management.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of physical and auditory non-pharmacologic interventions on premature infants’ pain levels during painful procedures.

Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study that will measure infant pain levels before, during, and after a heel stick using the Premature Infant Pain Profile-Revised (PIPP-R), which evaluates facial expression, body movement, and crying intensity. Infants will be split into three different intervention groups: a swaddling group, a white noise group, and a combination group where infants are both swaddled and exposed to white noise. PIPP-R scores will be compared between the three groups to determine effectiveness of the interventions.

Conclusion: The results of this study will contribute to clinical understanding of pain perception and pain management of premature infants in the NICU setting. It is expected that the swaddling intervention and the combination intervention will have a greater influence on pain compared to the white noise group. This research can offer potential strategies to implement best practice to combat pain in premature infants that must endure routine painful procedures.