A Systematic Review of Behavioral and Environmental Interventions for Procedural Pain Management in Preterm Infants

Abstract Problem Current research suggests behavioral and environmental interventions to prevent neonatal pain prior to an invasive procedure are rarely administered and seldom documented. The aim of this study was to systematically review findings from published randomized controlled trials that tested the effects of behavioral and environmental procedural pain management interventions on behavioral pain response in preterm infants. Eligibility Criteria Randomized controlled trials examining the effects of behavioral and environmental pain management interventions on behavioral pain response in preterm infants were identified. Articles accepted for inclusion met the following criteria: English language, original, peer refereed, randomized controlled clinical trials published within the past 5 years, study sample: preterm infants, setting: neonatal intensive care units, study intervention behavioral and environmental, outcome pain measurement score from valid and reliable pain scale. Sample Fourteen randomized controlled trials from a literature search of PubMed and Medline databases were included in this review. Results Across all age groups, facilitated tucking, oral sucrose, and kangaroo care decreased behavioral and physiologic pain response alone and in combination with other behavioral and environmental interventions. Conclusion Among preterm infants, facilitated tucking, oral sucrose, and kangaroo care significantly mitigates biobehavioral pain response associated with acutely painful procedures. Implications Evidence suggests that behavioral and environmental interventions can decrease biobehavioral pain response associated with acutely painful procedures in preterm infants. This review highlights the need for rigorous studies to help healthcare providers to build a tailored pain treatment plan for preterm infants.