Effect of Earplugs and Eye Cover on Physiological and Behavioral Responses among Preterm Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Mohammed Ali, Howayda; Abd Elmoniem Syan, Shadia; Farouk Abolwafa, Nagat

doi:10.21608/ejnsr.2023.277933

Effect of Earplugs and Eye Cover on Physiological and Behavioral Responses among Preterm Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Minia University, Egypt

² Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University, Egypt

³ Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Minia University, Egypt

10.21608/ejnsr.2023.277933

Abstract

Background: Preterm infants may be harmed by excessive light and crowding during the busiest time in the NICU, which can have detrimental short-term impacts on the circulatory and respiratory systems as well as the motor and behavioral responses. Preterm infants' physiological and behavioral conditions are improved by using earplugs and eye shields to shield them from noise and bright light. . Aim: Evaluate the effect of earplugs and eye cover on physiological and behavioral responses among preterm infants admitted in NICU. Method: A quasi-experimental design was utilized on the current study. Purposive sample of 120 preterm infants who admitted to neonatal intensive care unit at Minia University Hospital for Obstetric and Pediatrics (MUHOP) and Misr El-Hora general hospital. Tools: A structured interview questionnaire sheet included preterm infant data, physiological responses tool and behavioral response tool was measured by using Anderson Behavioral State Scoring System (ABSS) were utilized for data collection. Results: There was a highly statistically significant difference in preterm infants during and after 5minuts using earplugs and eye covers regarding the mean change of physiological and behavioral responses. Conclusion: Using of earplugs and eye covers during crowded and excessive light environment in the busiest time of the NICU was effective to decrease physiological and behavioral responses among preterms' infants. Recommendation: Repeated the study on a larger participant to evaluate the long-term outcomes of using earplugs and eye covers on the physiological and behavioral states of newborn infants.

Keywords