The Effect of Touch Methods on Pain and Physiological Parameters in Preterm Infants During Endotracheal Aspiration

Recurrent and painful interventions such as heel lancing, venipuncture, dressing change, endotracheal aspiration are frequently performed in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Touch is one of the infant's earliest developing senses. Therefore it is very important among individualized supportive care practices. Correct stimulation of the infant's sense of touch affects psychosocial development positively. In addition, it is reported that touch has a calming and analgesic effect during invasive interventions. Therefore, there is a need for touch appropriate for development of newborn.

The aim of this study was determine the effect of Yakson and Gentle Human Touch on pain and physiologic parameters in preterm infants during endotracheal aspiration.