Effect of Facilitated Tucking on Procedural Pain During Heel Prick in Late Preterm Neonates: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

In 30 seconds

This quasi-experimental study assessed facilitated tucking during heel prick in 100 late preterm neonates (34 to < 37 weeks) at a tertiary care hospital. Neonates were assigned by alternate allocation to facilitated tucking or routine care, with pain measured using the PIPP-R score 30 seconds after the procedure. Median scores were lower with facilitated tucking than routine care (4.00 vs. 9.00, p < 0.001). The facilitated-tucking group also had a smaller heart-rate rise and less oxygen-saturation reduction, suggesting better physiological stability.

Key findings

• Median PIPP-R pain scores were 4.00 with facilitated tucking and 9.00 with routine care (p < 0.001).
• Facilitated tucking was associated with a smaller post-procedure rise in heart rate.
• Oxygen saturation fell less after heel prick in neonates receiving facilitated tucking.

Why it matters

Heel pricks are common painful procedures in preterm neonates, and pain may affect physiological stability and neurodevelopment. These findings suggest that facilitated tucking may reduce measured pain and physiological disturbance during the procedure. The results add evidence for a non-pharmacological approach, while the study design means they should be interpreted as an association rather than definitive proof of benefit.

What to keep in mind

Alternate allocation was used rather than randomisation, and the authors state that randomized studies are needed to confirm the findings.