The effect of the Yakson and Gentle Human Touch methods applied to preterm infants during endotracheal aspiration on pain, comfort, and physiological parameters

Abstract

Background: Preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit are exposed to various painful procedures; thus, different non-pharmacological pain control techniques are used to alleviate pain.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of Yakson and Gentle Human Touch (GHT) methods during endotracheal suctioning on pain, comfort, and physiological parameters response in preterm infants.

Design: A randomised controlled crossover trial.

Setting: This study was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit between July 2022 and June 2023.

Methods: Thirty infants were included in this study based on inclusion criteria. The samples randomly received a sequence of suctioning with Yakson and GHT and routine care. Neonatal Pain Agitation and Sedation Scale (N-PASS) and COMFORTneo were used to collect the data.

Results: The pain and comfort scores of preterm infants who received GHT and Yakson touch during and after endotracheal suctioning were statistically significantly lower than the infants in the routine care (p < 0.001). It was determined that the difference was in favour of the Yakson group (p < 0.001). The infants who received GHT and Yakson application had lower heart rates and higher oxygen saturation levels after the application compared to the control group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The application of Yakson and GHT during endotracheal aspiration in preterm infants has been found to be effective in pain and comfort management, as well as in the regulation of physiological parameters.

Keywords: Comfort; Endotracheal aspiration; Gentle Human Touch; Pain; Preterm infants; Yakson Touch.