Abstract
Background and Aims. With technological advances in NICUs the survival rate of preterm infants has been increased. Because NICU environment is a potent source of stress for infants, its modification is an essential measure to decrease infants' morbidity. The purposes of this study were to compare the effects of wearing earmuff and provision silence for infants on their motor responses and gaining weight. Methods. In a randomized clinical trial 96 preterm infants were enrolled. Their motor responses were evaluated for two consecutive days in the morning and afternoon shifts, in the groups of earmuff and silence, and at similar time points in the control group. Also their weight was measured at days 1 and 10. Results. In the two intervention groups, means of motor responses in infants were significantly less than in the control group, and weight gain of infants was more than the control group. However weight gain was more pronounced in the earmuff group. Conclusion. Both interventions led to decreasing number of motor responses and improvement of weight gain pattern, but these effects were more pronounced in earmuff group; thus because implementation of silence in NICUs has many barriers, it is suggested to use earmuff for preterm infants in these units. This trial obtained IRCT registration number IRCT2012092010812N2.
Highlights
Auditory development starts from 23 to 24 weeks of gestational age
108 infants entered the study, of whom 12 were excluded: four in earmuffs group, five in silence group, and three in the control group
With regard to infants’ weight gaining, the findings showed that average weights at the first day and at the end of the intervention were 1489 (460.5) and 1573 (493.7) g, respectively, in the first group
Summary
Auditory development starts from 23 to 24 weeks of gestational age. At this time fetal auditory threshold is approximately 65 dB. During intrauterine life fetus is exposed to several auditory stimulants originating from internal and extraneous interference. Most of these sounds have a specific pattern and rhythm. In a randomized clinical trial 96 preterm infants were enrolled Their motor responses were evaluated for two consecutive days in the morning and afternoon shifts, in the groups of earmuff and silence, and at similar time points in the control group. Their weight was measured at days 1 and
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