Effect of Hydrocolloid Dressing and Terpolymer-Based Alcohol-Free Barrier Film on Pain During Tape Removal in Nasogastric Tube Fixation in Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: The placement of skin-protective products on the skin is a technique that nurses can easily carry out as a nonpharmacological method of pain reduction. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of hydrocolloid dressing and terpolymer-based alcohol-free barrier film on pain during the removal of silk tape placed in nasogastric tube fixation in 4- to 6-week-old infants. METHODS: This is a single-blind randomized controlled study. The research was carried out with 120 4- to 6-week-old infants. Terpolymer-based alcohol-free barrier film, hydrocolloid skin barrier, and silk medical tape were compared to reduce pain during the removal of adhesive products. Pain level was evaluated with the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale. RESULTS: Tube fixation with silk tape was 3 times higher than that of the terpolymer-based alcohol-free barrier film, and 3 minutes following the procedure. The pain level following a hydrocolloid dressing was 2 times higher than the group that had a silk tape applied to the skin before tube fixation (P<.001). Even 3 minutes after the end of the procedure, it was found that pain persisted in the group in which tube fixation was performed with silk tape without using a barrier product (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the pain level of infants during tape removal was reduced when medical tapes were used together with protective products. In the comparison of the different types of skin-protective products, it was seen that the terpolymer-based alcohol-free barrier film was superior to the hydrocolloid dressing in terms of reducing the pain felt by the infant.