The effectiveness of earmuffs on the physiologic and behavioral stability in preterm infants

Abstract

BackgroundThe use of earmuffs can protect preterm infants against negative effects of high noise levels in the neonatal intensive care unit. This study was aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the earmuffs on the physiologic and behavioral responses in preterm infants. MethodsA crossed over controlled trial was conducted at Aliasghar Hospital (Tehran, Iran) in 2014. Thirty-six preterm infants cared in closed incubators, 18 cases wore a pair of silicon earmuffs in the first day and the others were worn it at the second day. During 2 consecutive days, all subjects were observed as their own controls (without earmuffs). Physiologic (body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic, diastolic pressures, arterial Oxygen Saturation) and behavioral responses (according to the Anderson behavioral state scoring system) were assessed every 2 h for 8 h long during daytime for two consecutive days. ResultsThe application of earmuffs could decrease the rate of the heart and respiratory while could increase the amount of oxygen saturation (p < 0.05). The results also showed that the preterm infants with earmuffs had lower ABSS score and a better light sleep compared to those without earmuffs (2.38 ± 0.47 versus 4.8 ± 0.97, p < 0.05). ConclusionThe results indicated that using the earmuffs reduces the level of noise in NICUs following by improving the preterm neonates' physiological stability and behavioral states of ABSS.