Comparison of the Effects of Incubator and Radiant Environments on Physiological Criteria and Pain-Stress Levels during Heel Lance in Neonates in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives: To compare the effects of incubator and radiant heat on physiological criteria and pain-stress levels during heel prick procedures in newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: This randomized controlled quasi-experimental study was conducted between June and December 2023 with newborns diagnosed with IHB hospitalized at a NICU in Turkey. Prior to the heel prick procedure, 72 newborns (gestational age: 37–41 weeks) were randomly and equally assigned to either a radiant heater or an incubator setting. Physiological parameters (temperature, SpO2, heart rate [HR]) and pain-stress scores of the newborns were measured and compared in both settings. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in the descriptive characteristics of newborns between the incubator and radiant heater groups. When comparing physiological parameters and pain-stress scores, there were no significant differences in SpO2, and HR, or pain-stress levels between the groups; however, body temperature was significantly higher in the radiant heater group. During the heel prick procedure, both groups showed significant changes in body temperature, SpO2, HR, and pain-stress scores across the three time points (before, during, and after the procedure). Conclusion: Although body temperature increased significantly in the radiant heater environment compared with the incubator environment, this difference did not appear to play a vital role in affecting the physiological parameters of the newborn.