Effects of Non-Pharmacological Methods on the Pain Level Occurs Due to Heel Blood Collection: Randomized Controlled Trial

Aim: Studies indicate that non-pharmacological methods applied during invasive procedures in newborns assist in managing pain and agitation. This randomized controlled trial aimed to determine the effect of non-pharmacological methods on pain associated with heel stick procedures in healthy newborns. Method: This study conducted in the neonatal unit of a private hospital included a total of 100 newborns aged 24-48 hours and divided them into experimental and control groups. While no non-pharmacological intervention was applied to the control group during the heel stick procedure, the experimental group received interventions such as providing a pacifier, administering oral sucrose, swaddling the baby in a flexion position, and warming the heel under a radiant warmer. Data were collected using the Procedure Follow-up Chart and the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) and analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 program. Results: There is a statistically significant difference between the mean score of the NIPS of the babies in the experimental group and the babies in the control group (p=0.000). It was determined that the control group had higher mean pain scores compared to the experimental group. Conclusion: This study revealed a significant difference in NIPS pain scores between the experimental and control groups and demonstrated that non-pharmacological methods effectively reduced pain levels.