Effect of maternal heart sound on crying time and pain level in newborns during heel blood collection: A randomized controlled study

INTRODUCTION: Pain is a distressing experience for newborns and a significant source of stress that affects their overall health and development. This study was conducted to determine the effect of maternal heart sounds listened to by newborns during heel blood collection on pain level and crying time.
METHODS: This is a randomized two-group experimental study. The sample consisted of 60 newborns who presented for heel blood sampling. The newborns in the experimental group (n=30) listened to maternal heart sounds during the blood collection process. Routine heel blood was taken from newborns in the control group (n=30). An information form, the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS), a hand Doppler device, a camera, and a voice recorder were used to collect data.
RESULTS: In the experimental group, mean pain scores during the heel blood collection procedure (control group: 5.850±1.3967; experimental group: 3.333±1.9623) and after the procedure (control group: 3.200±2.2992; experimental group: 0.967±1.4910) were found to be statistically significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.05). Crying times during the procedure were also significantly shorter in the experimental group (control group: 155.87±111.462 sec; experimental group: 61.77±51.882 sec) (p<0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Newborns who listen to maternal heart sounds during heel blood collection experience less pain and have shorter crying times. Maternal heart sounds can be recommended as an effective method to reduce pain in newborns.