Effects of maternal heart sounds on pain and comfort during aspiration in preterm infants

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of providing prerecorded maternal heart sounds on the level of pain and comfort that are experienced by preterm infants during aspiration. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial. Preterm infants (N = 62) who were receiving care or treatment at a neonatal intensive care unit were eligible for participation in this study. Infants in the intervention group (n = 32) were provided with prerecorded maternal heart sounds before, during, and after aspiration, whereas the infants in the control group (n = 30) received routine care. For the collection of the data, the "Preterm Infant Information Form" was used to record natal and postnatal information of the preterm infant, the "Premature Infant Pain Profile," assessed the level of pain, and the "Premature Infant Comfort Scale," assessed the level of comfort. RESULTS: There was a significant difference observed between the groups' pain levels during aspiration; however, the difference was not significant before and after aspiration. Furthermore, there was a significant difference observed between the groups' comfort levels prior to aspiration before and during aspiration; however, the difference was not significant after aspiration. CONCLUSION: Intervention with maternal heart sounds during aspiration effectively reduced pain and provided comfort to the premature infants.