Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Pediatric Nursing, cilt.88, ss.296-304, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
Background Preterm neonates frequently undergo painful procedures for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Due to their immature nervous systems, they exhibit heightened sensitivity to pain, which may lead to physiological instability and long-term neurodevelopmental consequences. Therefore, the implementation of safe and effective non-pharmacological interventions to alleviate procedural pain has gained increasing clinical importance. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the effects of gentle human touch (GHT) and kangaroo mother care (KMC) provided by mothers during venipuncture on pain scores, crying duration, and physiological parameters in preterm infants. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a neonatal venipuncture unit with 90 late preterm infants (34–37 weeks). Infants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: GHT, KMC, or Control. Pain was assessed using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale. Results Baseline characteristics of infants and mothers were comparable among groups ( p > 0.05). During venipuncture preterm infants in the control group had significantly higher pain scores and longer crying durations, with less stable physiological parameters, compared to GHT and KMC groups ( p < 0.001). Infants in the KMC group demonstrated lower pain scores than those receiving GHT (p < 0.001). Conclusion Both GHT and KMC effectively reduced pain and crying duration while supporting physiological stability during blood sampling in preterm infants. KMC was found to be more effective than GHT in reducing pain. Practice implications The findings of this study suggest that KMC and GHT are safe and effective non-pharmacological interventions for procedural pain management in preterm infants, and can be integrated into routine nursing practice.