14. Is facilitated tucking by parents more effective than dextrose water (10%) in reducing full-term neonatal pain during the heel-lancing procedure: A randomized controlled trial

Neonates are exposed to pain as a result of routinely applied painful procedures which in many cases are poorly managed. There are numerous non-pharmacologic interventions that could help manage procedural pain. There still a lack of evidence supporting the use of several non-pharmacologic interventions, such as facilitated tucking by parents (FTP) for neonatal pain management. A randomized controlled three-group experimental design was used to compare the effectiveness of oral dextrose water D10%W vs. FTP among neonates whose ages ranged from 24 to 48 hours. Three phases of (baseline, during, and after) heel stick procedures were videotaped. Pain responses were measured using a behavioral pain scale, as well as physiological pain responses (heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation). A total of 135 neonates were included in the study. Both D10W and FTP groups were found to be effective in reducing behavioral scores (P=0.00). And physiological pain scores, including heart rate (P= 0.009), respiratory rate (P=0.01), and oxygen saturation (P=0.002) as compared to control group. However, immediately (20sec) after the procedure, the total pain score was significantly lower in dextrose group compared to the other two groups (m= 2.8, SD= 0.7). D10%W and FTP had pain-relieving effects as compared to control in neonates who are 38-40 ? 2 weeks of gestation and are undergoing heel stick procedure. However, an added advantage for D10%W, in these times, is reducing physical contact between neonate and parent during limited access of parent to NICUs units a s a result of COVID