The influence of motor stimulation in the reduction of pain and stress in premature newborns through heart rate variability: randomized study
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Keywords: premature newborn, motor stimulation, NIPS, heart rate variability
Background: With the increase in the population of preterm infants, new concerns have occur about the development of the central nervous system. The immaturity of the systems makes preterm infants susceptible to negative functional outcomes, such as changes in neuropsychomotor development. Another aggravating factor is associated with harmful stimuli caused by the external environment, which generate acute and chronic stress and pain in premature situations. In this way, supporting therapies that help control the stress and pain of preterm infants and contribute positively to the neuropsychomotor development gain singular regard. Objectives: To analyze and compare the influence of motor stimulation and functional positioning on pain and stress in preterm newborns (PTNB) through heart rate variability, the NIPS scale and through vital signs; suggest motor stimulation techniques, frequency and intensity with positive gains in preterm infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Methods: a randomized, double-blind study, including preterm infants aged between 32 and 36 weeks, using the CONSORT method. PTNBs with other associated pathologies, such as malformations, congenital heart diseases, pneumonia, sepsis, genetic syndromes, use of invasive ventilatory devices, need for surgical intervention, need for vasoactive drugs, among others that affect HRV, were excluded. It contains two sampling groups: 1) Intervention group (motor stimulation protocol intervention and functional positioning) and 2) Control Group (functional positioning only). ECG recording was analyzed through frequency variability, stress and pain scale (NIPS) and vital signs for 5 consecutive days. The HRV parameters and other data were statistically analyzed in a parametric or non-parametric way, using central and dispersion measures (means and standard deviation or medians and quartiles), and the corresponding Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney statistical tests (p < 0.05). Results:There was a significant difference in linear (AF, rMSSD, pNN20) and non-linear (SD1, SD2/SD1) variables of the Intervention between groups analysis. Observed a tendency of the same results in the intergroup analysis. There was a difference in the reduction of stress and pain, evaluated by NIPS, in the Intervention group when compared to the control. Regarding vital signs, there was no difference in the parameters evaluated (respiratory frequency and oxygen saturation).