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Effect of Multiple Non-pharmacological Methods for Pain Management During Eye Examination for Retinopathy of Prematurity in Preterm Infants

Effect of Multiple Non-pharmacological Methods for Pain Management During Eye Examination for Retinopathy of Prematurity in Preterm Infants: A Randomised Controlled Crossover Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06959290
Enrollment
24
Registered
2025-05-06
Start date
2025-05-01
Completion date
2025-06-30
Last updated
2025-07-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Pain Management, Premature Infant, Retinopaty of Prematurity

Keywords

Premature Infant, Retinopaty of prematurity examination, Pain management

Brief summary

This study will be conducted to determine the effect on pain and vital signs of multiple nonpharmacological methods used in preterm infants during the examination for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Detailed description

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) examination is performed using a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope. ROP examination causes pain and discomfort in the preterm infant in many ways, including the application of eye drops, the placement of the speculum in the eye, the pressure applied to the pupils and the brightness of the ophthalmoscope. Studies in the literature have also reported that newborns experience pain and discomfort during ROP examination. In relation to the ROP pain experienced by the preterm infant, various physiological changes such as increased heart rate or decreased oxygen saturation are experienced during or after the examination. Accordingly, ROP examination is important; however, controlling the pain that occurs during the examination is also very important in terms of the patient's emotional experience and comfort. In the literature, many studies have been conducted to reduce pain during ROP examination. Although pharmacological treatment methods are an effective technique to reduce pain, it is recommended that nonpharmacological methods should be used especially in infants and children because of the side effects of drugs (such as apnoea, bradycardia, respiratory depression, hypotension) and the method to be used should be easy, fast and does not require preparation. The Turkish Neonatology Society and the Turkish Ophthalmology Society also recommend that ROP examination is a very painful procedure, that pharmacological methods alone are not sufficient to reduce pain, and that nonpharmacological methods such as pacifier, breast milk and oral sucrose should be used during the examination. In addition, although there is no gold standard for pain relief during ROP examination, previous studies suggest that clinicians should use more than one method together to reduce pain and provide relief in premature infants. In this study, a combination of oral 25% dextrose, non-nutritive sucking and swaddling will be used for multiple nonpharmacological applications

Interventions

PROCEDUREMultiple nonpharmacological methods

The preterm babies in this group are swaddled by the nurse with each baby's own blanket 2 minutes before the ROP examination. The nurse will then give the baby 25% dextrose solution orally (0.5ml for those \<32 weeks gestation, 1ml for those \>32 weeks gestation). The nurse then places a pacifier soaked in 25% dextrose solution in the preterm infant's mouth. After these three non-pharmacological methods, the doctor will perform the ROP examination.

OTHERRoutine Treatment

The preterm babies in this group are swaddled by the nurse with each baby's own blanket 2 minutes before the ROP examination. After these three non-pharmacological methods, the doctor will perform the ROP examination.

Sponsors

Istanbul Medeniyet University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
26 Weeks to 32 Weeks
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Postmenstrual gestational age ≤32 weeks and/or birth weight ≤1500 g, * Stable, awake, in supine position and breathing spontaneously without oxygen support, * Vital signs were within normal limits before the examination, * Premature infants undergoing ROP examination for the first time.

Exclusion criteria

* Preterms who have been administered non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or sedative and antiepileptic drugs such as chloral hydrate, phenobarbital and diazepam within 24 hours before the ROP examination, * Preterms with severe respiratory diseases, receiving respiratory support (continuous positive airway pressure or mechanical ventilation), * Preterms with critical conditions such as central nervous system infections and sepsis, * Preterms with other organic diseases such as severe cardiovascular disease, pulmonary insufficiency, * Preterms with congenital malformations.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Procedural pain score: Premature Infant Pain Profile-Revised Scale (PIPP-R)1 minute before the procedure, during the procedure, 2 minutes after the procedure and 5 minutes after the procedureThe PIPP-R is a seven indicator composite pain measure consisting of three behavioural (facials actions of brow bulge, eye squeeze, naso-labial furrow), two physiological (heart rate, oxygen saturation), and two contextual (gestational age, behavioural state) indicators validated for pain measurement in infants 26-44 weeks' gestation. A score of \<7 is indicative of minimal pain and a score ≥ 12 is indicative of moderate to severe pain.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Oxygen saturation1 minute before the procedure, during the procedure, 2 minutes after the procedure and 5 minutes after the procedurePremature infants will be connected to a pulse oximeter monitor; oxygen saturation will be monitored before, during and after the procedure.
Heart rate1 minute before the procedure, iduring the procedure, 2 minutes after the procedure and 5 minutes after the procedurePremature infants will be connected to a pulse oximeter monitor; heart rate will be monitored before, during and after the procedure.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026