The effect of facilitated tucking and white noise on stress and sleep of newborns receiving nasal continuous positive airway pressure.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of facilitated tucking and white noise on stress and sleep in neonates receiving nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). METHOD: This study was conducted as a randomised controlled experimental study of neonates receiving nasal CPAP in neonatal intensive care units. The study sample consisted of 108 newborns (facilitated tucking (n = 36), white noise (n = 36) and control (n = 36)) receiving nasal CPAP support in the NICU. The neonates' sleep parameters were recorded by actigraphy for 24 h. Data were collected using the Neonatal Descriptive Information Form, the Sleep Tracking Form and the Neonatal Stress Scale. Percentage, mean, chi-squared and one-way ANOVA were used for data analysis. RESULTS: It was found that 50.9% of the newborns were female, their mean gestational age was 33.54 ± 3.38, their mean height was 43.56 ± 5.12, and their mean weight was 2139.23 ± 827.82. The total sleep time of the neonates in the facilitated tucking and white noise group increased by 3 h, their sleep efficiency increased by 20% and their mean stress scores decreased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Facilitated tucking and white noise each showed a similar improvement in sleep duration and sleep efficiency and a reduction in stress scores in neonates receiving nasal CPAP. Close monitoring of sleep in this population and supportive care practices are recommended. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings of this study may help to reduce sleep problems and stress levels in the clinical care of neonates in the NICU through developmental nursing practices.

The relationship between the care burden and quality of life of parents who have children with hematological problems and their perceived social support.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the interrelationship of the caregiver burden, perceived social support, and quality of life of parents who have children with hematological problems. DESIGN AND METHODS: The design and methods included a descriptive study with 141 parents of children with hematological problems. The introductory information form, the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS), and the EUROHIS-QOL.8 (WHOQOL-8) scale were used as data collection tools. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation models. RESULTS: As a result of the conducted correlation analysis, it was determined that there was a positive correlation between parents' perceptions of social support and their quality of life, and a negative correlation between their perceptions of social support and the caregiver burden (p < 0.05). As a result of the structural equation model, it was determined that the social support received by the parents had a significant effect on their caregiver burden (ß = -0.40; p < 0.05), and their quality of life (ß = 0.42; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The conclusion formed was that it can be said that parents' perceptions of social support affect their caregiver burden and quality of life. Parents with high perceptions of social support perceive the burden of caregiver to be low and their quality of life to be high. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The practice implications are that healthcare professionals can contribute to reducing the caregiver burden and improving the quality of life of parents, by strengthening the social support systems of parents with sick children.

Reducing Children's Pain and Parents' Anxiety in the Postoperative Period: A Therapeutic Model in Turkish Sample.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of a new therapeutic model (a therapeutic play/play therapy (TP/PT) program) on alleviating pain in children receiving inpatient treatment in paediatric surgery units and parents' anxiety levels in the post-operative period. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was designed as a semi-experimental model using the TP/PT program. Four measurements (pre-test, two interim tests and post-test) for children and two measurements (pre-test and post-test) for parents were performed. The data were collected using the Child and Parent Information Form, the Wong-Baker Faces Pain (WBFP) Rating Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: The mean pain score for children after TP/PT decreased in each measurement, and a significant difference was found between these measurements. The mean state anxiety score for parents significantly decreased after the TP/PT program, and a statistically significant difference was found between these measurements (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: This study determined that the post-operative TP/PT program was an effective method to reduce acute post-operative pain in children. Parental anxiety levels were found to correlate with levels of pre- and post-operative pain in children. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings of this study provide a basis for using a new therapeutic model that is easy to apply and effective for reducing children's pain and parents' anxiety.

The Effect of Circular and Oscillating Breast Massage on the Amount of Breast Milk Produced: An Innovative Method.

Background: In addition to suffering stress and anxiety owing to being separated from their babies, mothers whose babies are hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units suffer breastfeeding problems. Moreover, their breast milk production may decrease over time. Objective: Examining the effect of circular and oscillating breast massage on the amount of breast milk produced. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled experimental study used a pretest-posttest model. The participants included 120 mothers (experimental group: 60, control group: 60) who went to a breast milk pumping unit of a hospital between December 1, 2017, and July 31, 2019. A circular and oscillating breast massage device was used to massage both breasts for 10 to 15 minutes, three times a day, for 3 days, and milk production was measured daily. The sociodemographic characteristics, perceptions regarding breast massage, and daily breast milk amounts of the mothers were collected. Results: The average age of the mothers that participated in the study was 30.21 ± 5.58 years; the average birth week of their babies was 32.31 ± 4.10 weeks. There were no significant differences in the mothers' amounts of milk production before the procedure in the experimental and control groups. In the study group, milk production increased by 7.92%, 5.25%, and 5.02% on days 1, 2, and 3 of the procedure, respectively. The mothers' total amount of milk production before and after the procedure (3 days) increased by 22.28%. Significant differences were found between the study groups on days 1, 2, and 3 and the total amount of milk produced after the procedure. Conclusion: Our study found circular and oscillating breast massage increased the amount of breast milk produced and decreased breast pain and swelling. Similar studies on the clinical use of this treatment should be conducted in line with the results of this study.

The effects of technology use on working young loneliness and social relationships.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of technology use on working young loneliness and social relationships. DESIGNS AND METHODS: The relational descriptive study was conducted with 1,312 young using a young information form, the Internet Addiction Scale, the Peer Relationship Scale, and the Smart Phone Addiction Scale. CONCLUSION: It was determined that young, who are exposed to violence, smoke, and work as unskilled labor force have a high dependence on the Internet and smartphones. Young with the Internet and smartphone addiction were found to have high levels of loneliness and poor social relations. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It has been determined that young who are weak in the social aspect fill these deficiencies by using the Internet and telephone.