The effect of the simulated intrauterine sound on behavioral and physiological indices of pain during capillary blood sampling for screening preterm infants: a randomized clinical trial study.

INTRODUCTION: Due to medical procedures, preterm infants are at high risk for side effects of pain. In this regard, heel lancing for capillary blood sampling is a common painful procedure. The present study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a simulated intrauterine sound on behavioral and physiological indices of pain due to heel-prick blood sampling in preterm infants. METHODS: A double­blind randomized clinical trial (RCT) was conducted. The data were collected from September 23 to December 22, 2019. We measured the effect of a simulated intrauterine sound on changes in the behavioral and physiological parameters of pain (heart rate, SPO2) caused by heel lance that was measured 5 min before the intervention, during the sampling, and 5 min after the procedure. We measured behavioral pain by video recording the infants' faces and then the scoring neonatal infant pain scale (NIPS). Heart rate and SPO2 were measured using a pulse oximeter device. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t­test in SPSS software version 20.0. RESULTS: Eighty infants were randomized (40 in each group). Mean scores NIPS during and after intervention were in the intervention group (3.55 ± 0.84, 95% CI: 3.30-3.80(, and (1.15 ± 0.84, 95%: 0.95-1.35) and in the control group (5.57 ± 0.95, 95% CI:5.30-5.85) and (3.00 ± 0.98) respectively. There were significant differences in scores of NIPS between the two study groups during (p < 0.001) and five min after heel lancing (p < 0.001). Mean scores of heart rate in the three phases of before, during, and five min after the intervention were respectively in the intervention group (127.57 ± 4.45, 95% CI:126.27-128.99), (131.07 ± 6.54, 95% CI:129.20-133.22), (128.45 ± 5.15, 95% CI:127.02-130.07) and in the control group (128.67 ± 4.57, 95% CI:127.32-130.07), (136.07 ± 7.24, 95% CI:133.90-138.37), and (132.42 ± 6.47, 95% CI:130.37-134.49). There were significant differences in heart rate between the intervention and the control group during (p = 0.002) and five min after the heel lance (p = 0.003). Mean scores of SPO2 in the three phases of baseline, during, and five min after the intervention were respectively in the intervention group (96.72 ± 0.93, 95% CI:96.42-97.00), (91.47 ± 1.46, 95% CI:91.05-91.92), (94.17 ± 1.03, 95% CI:93.22-94.00) and in the control group (96.6 ± 0.84, 95% CI:96.35-96.85), (91.5 ± 1.24, 95% CI:91.12-91.87), and (93.60 ± 1.27, 95% CI:93.85-94.50). CONCLUSION: This study showed that the simulated intrauterine sound reduces the behavioral pain and heart rate in the intervention group during and after heel lance. These results suggest using the method during the painful heel lancing to reduce pain parameters in preterm infants.

Prevalence of anxiety and its risk factors in burn patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The primary objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to ascertain the prevalence of anxiety and identify associated risk factors among individuals who have suffered burn injuries. We conducted a thorough and systematic search across various international electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science, as well as Persian electronic databases like Iranmedex and the scientific information database (SID). Our search encompassed the period from the earliest available records up to 8 August 2023. We employed keywords derived from Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) such as "Prevalence", "Anxiety" and "Burns". In total, 2586 burn patients participated in 13 cross-sectional studies. The mean age of the participants was 32.88 (SD = 2.51). In a compilation of 13 studies, the documented overall occurrence rate of anxiety among burn patients stood at 16.1% (95% CI: 10.0% to 24.7%; I2 = 93.138%; p < 0.001). The outcomes of a meta-regression analysis, which examined the association between anxiety in burn patients and the year of publication, did not uncover any significant correlation (p = 0.442). Furthermore, there was a notable association between anxiety in burn patients and factors such as gender, TBSA affected, educational level and the types of burn injuries. Therefore, healthcare providers need to recognize the substantial prevalence of anxiety in burn patients as a fundamental consideration. This recognition should prompt a proactive approach toward early detection and timely intervention. Developing personalized intervention strategies tailored to each patient's unique risk factors and needs is paramount. These strategies may encompass a range of therapeutic options such as counselling, psychotherapy or consultations with mental health specialists.