THE EFFECT OF HAMMOCK POSITIONING ON PAIN INTENSITY OF OROGASTRIC TUBE INSERTION AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AMONG PREMATURE NEONATES

Background: Premature neonates are vulnerable humans requiring much care and attention. pain experience in the neonatal period leads to short- and long-term complications that could be prevented through neonatal pain relief. The hammock positioning within the incubators simulates the intrauterine environment, pain experienced in the neonatal period leads to short- and long-term complications that could be prevented through neonatal pain relief. Aim: To investigate the effect of hammock positioning on pain intensity of orogastric tube insertion and physiological parameters among premature neonates. Methods: Design: The researcher conducted a quasi-experimental research design at neonatal intensive care units at Sohag University Hospital. Sample: A purposive sample of 80 premature neonates was randomly divided into two groups: control and study, each with 40 premature neonates. Tools: The researcher collected the data through the neonatal characteristics assessment tool, neonates' physiological indices assessment tool, and Premature Infant Pain Profile. Results: The study revealed that 68% and 36% of the study group had mild and moderate pain, while 50% and 12% of the control group had moderate and severe pain from orogastric tube insertion. Also, hammock positioning was enhancing the stability of the preterm neonates' physiological parameters in the study group compared to the control group at a p-value of 0.005**. Conclusion: Hammock positioning significantly decreased the severity of pain compared to the control group. In addition, hammock positioning had a positive effect in stabilizing the premature neonates’ physiological parameters among premature neonates Recommendation: Hammock positioning should be a part of the routine care for all premature admitted to NICUs.