Non-pharmacological methods to reduce pain in preterm infants: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective: To systematically review the literature to determine whether non-pharmacological interventions reduce preterm infants' pain during invasive procedures in the neonatal intensive care unit. Methods: A systematic search was conducted according to the criteria of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement for conducting and reporting systematic reviews. The search was performed in PubMed and Scopus from 2013 to 2023. Only studies in English were included. Results: In total, forty-four studies were included. Kangaroo Mother Care, massage, Yakson Touch, Gentle Human Touch, music therapy, mother’s voice, white noise, maternal heartbeat sounds, facilitated tucking, sucrose administration, olfactory stimulation, the use of "Calmer," environment modification, expressed breast milk, the mother scented simulated hand, and the combination of these methods proved to be effective in reducing pain in preterm infants undergoing various medical procedures. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals should consider using non-pharmacological methods for pain relief during minor invasive procedures.