Parental participation and technology-based interventions for procedural pain alleviation in neonates requiring intensive care

Parents of newborns requiring intensive care are willing and able to participate in alleviating their infant’s pain. In addition, technology-based solutions may complement traditional pain management methods.

Newborns in intensive care are exposed to repeated and often painful procedures. This also places a burden on parents, for whom their infant’s pain is a major concern. In her doctoral dissertation, Master of Health Sciences Anna-Kaija Palomaa examined parental participation and the use of technology-based interventions in relieving procedural pain in newborns in intensive care. Previous research on parental experiences and factors influencing participation has been limited, as has research on the use of technology-based interventions.

In the first phase of the study, a qualitative survey was conducted to explore parents’ views on the factors influencing their participation in their infant’s pain management in intensive care. The results showed that parental participation is particularly supported by guidance from healthcare staff, good communication, and a clearly defined parental role. Barriers to participation included lack of information, constraints related to the care environment, and uncertainty associated with parenthood.

In the second phase, a systematic literature review was conducted. The findings indicated that the effectiveness of technology-based pain relief interventions varied, and their benefits could not be conclusively demonstrated compared to traditional non-pharmacological methods.

In the third phase, the experiences of mothers of newborns in intensive care were explored through thematic interviews focusing on non-pharmacological pain relief methods. Participants were recruited from mothers whose newborns had taken part in a randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of these methods. According to the mothers, orally administered glucose was an easy-to-implement method, but there were conflicting views regarding its acceptability and effectiveness. A digital maternal presence intervention was perceived as natural and supportive of closeness, although mothers were uncertain about its effectiveness. Skin-to-skin contact was seen as an effective pain relief method that also supported the well-being of both mother and infant, although its implementation was sometimes considered challenging in the intensive care environment.

The findings suggest that both traditional and technology-based methods can be utilized in relieving pain in newborns in intensive care. Supporting active parental involvement is particularly important, as it promotes the well-being of both the infant and the entire family.