The effect of white noise and classical music on pain and physiologic parameters in preterm infants during retinopathy of prematurity examinations: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT

This study was designed as a prospective, randomized controlled trial. A total of 90 preterm infants who underwent retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) examinations were categorized into three groups, a control group, a white noise group (WN), and a classical music group (CM), each comprising 30 preterm infants. The study data were obtained using an information form and the Premature Infant Pain Profile. During (WN: 9.70±3.02; CM: 11.2±2.28) and after the examination (WN: 3.60±2.11; CM: 3.77±1.83), the preterm infants in the WN and CM groups had lower mean pain scores and heart rates (181.17±15.76 and 3150.10±17.03 vs. 173.30±20.66 and 146.67±18.17, respectively; p<0.001) and higher mean oxygen saturation values (93.60±3.87 and 97.83±1.93 vs. 95.73±2.52 and 98.27±1.82, respectively; p<0.05) than those in the control group; the differences were statistically significant. The WN and CM listened to by the preterm infants during ROP examinations had positive effects on pain and heart rate and oxygen saturation values.

KEYWORDS:

• Preterm infant
• white noise
• classical music
• pain
• physiologic parameters
• retinopathy of prematurity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Şadiye Dur

Şadiye Dur is a Assistant Professor at the Izmir Demokrasi Faculty of Health Sciences. Her specialty is Pediatric Nursing. Her research and interest areas are newborn nursing, nutrition in childhood, pain management in children, non-pharmacological methods, simulation in nursing education.

Sadık Görkem Çevik

Sadık Görkem Çevik is a Assosiate Professor, Beyoğlu Eye Training and Research Hospital. His specialty is childhood eye health and diseases. His research and interest areas are newborn, retinopathy of prematurity, retinal diseases.

Nagehan Ustabaş Yıldız

Nagehan Ustabaş Yıldız is a MSc and RN. She is a nurse Health Sciences University Bursa Higher Specialization Training and Research Hospital. Her specialty is child health and diseases nursing and her research and interest areas are pain management, nonpharmacological methods and child nutrition.