The Effects of a Three-Stair Positioning Pillow Used for Preterm Infants on Physiologic Parameters and Sleep-Wakefulness Status: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

It is important to provide the necessary sleep for the growth of preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 3-stair positioning pillows (TSPPs) developed for preterm infants with postnatal age 28 to 35 weeks on physiologic parameters and sleep-wakefulness status.

METHODS

This research was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study. The CONSORT flowchart was used in the implementation of the randomized controlled trial. The preterm infants in the experimental group were placed in the prone position with TSPPs, whereas the preterm infants in the control group were followed in the routine prone position given in the neonatal intensive care unit. Preterm infants were followed for a total of 3 hours.

RESULTS

The sample of the study consisted of 60 preterm infants (experiment group = 30; control group = 30) who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit and met the selection criteria. Compared with the infants in the control group, the preterm infants in the experimental group were determined to have significantly lower heart rates, higher oxygen saturations, lower respiratory rates, longer sleep durations, and shorter wakefulness times ( P < .001).

CONCLUSION

It was found that positioning preterm infants using TSPP had positive effects on physiological parameters (heart rate, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate) and sleep-wakefulness status in favor of the experimental group.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: It is recommended to use a TSPP that supports the prone position to improve the physiologic parameters and sleep-wakefulness status of preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Larger studies need to be conducted utilizing longer follow-up protocols. Examining the effectiveness of TSPPs with different positioning materials in preterm infants is needed.