Anesthesia and analgesia in the NICU.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the role of massage therapy as a nonpharmacologic method for managing neonatal pain in intensive care settings.
Results Summary
The study identified massage therapy as one of the common nonpharmacologic techniques for neonatal pain management, alongside other methods like nonnutritive sucking and kangaroo care, but did not provide specific efficacy data for massage alone.
Population
Neonates in intensive care units undergoing painful procedures.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
nonnutritive sucking with and without sucrose | neutral | pain treatment | neonates | - | most common nonpharmacologic techniques include | #1 |
kangaroo care | neutral | pain treatment | neonates | - | most common nonpharmacologic techniques include | #2 |
swaddling | neutral | pain treatment | neonates | - | most common nonpharmacologic techniques include | #3 |
massage therapy | neutral | pain treatment | neonates | - | most common nonpharmacologic techniques include | #4 |
opiates | neutral | neonatal pain | neonates | - | drugs used to treat | #5 |
benzodiazepines | neutral | neonatal pain | neonates | - | drugs used to treat | #6 |
barbiturates | neutral | neonatal pain | neonates | - | drugs used to treat | #7 |
ketamine | neutral | neonatal pain | neonates | - | drugs used to treat | #8 |
propofol | neutral | neonatal pain | neonates | - | drugs used to treat | #9 |
acetaminophen | neutral | neonatal pain | neonates | - | drugs used to treat | #10 |
local and topical anesthetics | neutral | neonatal pain | neonates | - | drugs used to treat | #11 |
Painful procedures in the neonatal intensive care unit are common, undertreated, and lead to adverse consequences. A stepwise approach to treatment should include pain recognition, assessment, and treatment, starting with nonpharmacologic and progressing to pharmacologic methods for increasing pain. The most common nonpharmacologic techniques include nonnutritive sucking with and without sucrose, kangaroo care, swaddling, and massage therapy. Drugs used to treat neonatal pain include the opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, ketamine, propofol, acetaminophen, and local and topical anesthetics. The indications, advantages, and disadvantages of the commonly used analgesic drugs are discussed. Guidance and references for drugs and dosing for specific neonatal procedures are provided.