Comparison the Effects of Stimulating the Sucking and Grasp Reflexs on Pain and Crying Duration Induced by Blood Sampling in Neonates.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

Given the inevitability of blood sampling procedures in hospitalized neonates and the use of natural reflex stimulation as a non-pharmacological method, this study aimed to compare the effects of stimulating the sucking and grasp reflexes on pain intensity and crying duration following blood sampling in hospitalized neonates.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2024 on neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Ali Ibn Abi Talib Hospital in Rafsanjan, Iran. Neonates were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: sucking reflex stimulation, grasp reflex stimulation, and control. In Intervention Group 1, the sucking reflex was stimulated by placing a pacifier in the neonate's mouth two minutes before and up to one minute after the blood sampling procedure. In Intervention Group 2, during the same period, the grasp reflex was stimulated by placing a soft object (a cotton-filled finger of a latex-free vinyl glove) in the neonate's palm. The neonates in the control group received no specific intervention. The pain scores were assessed using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS), and data were analyzed using SPSS software.

RESULTS

The findings indicated a statistically significant difference in the mean pain scores and crying duration between the sucking reflex group and the control group (P < 0.001), as well as between the grasp reflex group and the control group (P < 0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two intervention groups in terms of pain scores and crying duration (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggested that both sucking and grasp reflex stimulations are effective in reducing pain associated with blood sampling in neonates. Thus, depending on the clinical context, either method may be utilized as a non-pharmacological pain management strategy.