MedPath

The Efficiency of Using Supportive Postures and Holding Techniques to Minimize Premature Infant Pain (PAP)

Not Applicable
Suspended
Conditions
Premature Infant
Interventions
Other: Installation of a naso-gastric feeding tube
Registration Number
NCT03939169
Lead Sponsor
Centre Hospitalier Régional Metz-Thionville
Brief Summary

Out of the most commonly performed procedures in neonates, naso-gastric tube insertion is rated as the fifth most painful. The pain is often under estimated due to the frequency with which the procedure is carried out. It has been shown that the environment in which the procedure is performed (e.g with skin to skin contact and specific positioning), reduces the discomfort felt by the newborn. However, this has not yet been proven with regards to naso-gastric tube insertion.

Detailed Description

Our clinical study (carried out in the Neonatology Unit of Mercy Regional Hospital) has shown that when positioning and other non drug related analgesic techniques are used, newborns undergoing naso-gastric tube insertion feel less pain.

Several different techniques were used, such as skin-to-skin contact with the mother and/or positioning the infant using appropriate equipment, or the "four hands" technique carried out by two health care professionals.

Neonatal unit staff were able to choose the method used depending on whether the mother was present at the time of the procedure.

In cases where the mother was absent, the "four hands technique" was favored, but in the presence of the mother skin-to-skin contact was preferable.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
SUSPENDED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
120
Inclusion Criteria
  • Preterm baby born between the 32th and the 35th weeks of amenorrhea plus 6 days
  • Prescription of enteral nutrition via naso-gastric tube
  • Naso-gastric tube in-situ
  • Informed consent of both parents
Exclusion Criteria

For the newborn

  • Under respiratory assistance
  • With nasal or buccal malformation
  • With abnormal heart rhythm or congenital heart disease
  • With hemodynamic instability
  • Transfer to type 3 neonatal unit
  • With a DAN score > 0 before treatment
  • With an umbilical venous catheter in-situ
  • Fed with thickened milk
  • Prescription of analgesic medications

For the parents

  • Minor
  • Under legal protection
  • Difficulties which do not permit the mother to carry out skin-to skin contact or holding support

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Containing support with equipmentInstallation of a naso-gastric feeding tubeCarried out by one healthcare Professional, who places the newborn in such a manner that he will be held in the optimum position (using a soft sheet) during the insertion of the naso-gastric feeding tube.
HoldingInstallation of a naso-gastric feeding tubeThe newborn is held in his mother's arms during insertion of the naso-gastric feeding tube.
Four hands careInstallation of a naso-gastric feeding tubeCarried out by two professionals: one health-care professional supports the child and helps stabilize the newborn whilst the other professional inserts the naso-gastric feeding tube.
Skin-to-skin supportInstallation of a naso-gastric feeding tubeThe newborn is dressed in one layer of clothing with a hat, he is placed in the ventral position directly on the mother's chest, covered with a warm blanket and held in place with a band during the insertion of the naso-gastric feeding tube.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pain during insertion of the probeDay 1

Evaluation of the newborn's pain during insertion of the naso-gastric tube using the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) scale. The PIPP consists of 3 behavioral (facial actions: brow bulge, eye squeeze, and nasolabial furrow) and 2 physiological (heart rate and oxygen saturation) indicators, and 2 contextual \[gestational age (GA) and behavioral state\] variables that modify pain. In the same time, the heart rate and oxygen saturation of the newborns were measured using a pulse oximeter.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Evaluation of pain using the DAN scaleDay 1

This scale scores pain from 0 to 10, where 0 is no pain and 10 is maximum pain; it evaluates three items: facial expressions, limb movements and vocal expression.

Maternal satisfactionDay 1

Mother's satisfaction with regards to her involvement in the procedure. The questions are about her sense of usefulness during the probe, her knowledge of child's reaction and her desire to repeat the experience.

Duration of the Naso -gastric tube in situDay 7

Lifetime of the probe after insertion

Professional's satisfactionDay 1

Health carers satisfaction during the procedure. The questions are about his appreciation of the effective management of the pain, the ease of installation, the benefits of the mother's presence and his desire to repeat the experience.

Procedure timeDay 1

Time taken to insert the naso-gatric tube

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

CHR Metz Thionville

🇫🇷

Metz, France

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath