Effects of the facilitated tucking position in early period on physiological parameters, comfort and breastfeeding performance in late preterm infants: A randomized controlled trial

Altay G., Küçükoğlu S.

MIDWIFERY, vol.115, no.Aralık 2022, pp.1, 2022 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 115 Issue: Aralık 2022
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.midw.2022.103492
  • Journal Name: MIDWIFERY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, ASSIA, CINAHL, EMBASE, Gender Studies Database, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.1
  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective: This study’s aim to determine the effect of facilitated tucking position applied to late preterm

infants on physiological parameters, comfort, and breastfeeding performance.

Design: The study was conducted in a randomized controlled experimental design (Clinical Trial number:

NCT04704180).

Methods: The study was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of a state hospital in eastern

Turkey between November 2018 and July 2019. The sample consisted of 89 neonates meeting the inclu-

sion criteria. Data were collected using the Neonatal Introductory Information Form, Physiological Pa-

rameter Follow-Up Chart, Neonatal Comfort Behavior Scale (NCBS), and Latch Breastfeeding Diagnosis

Measurement Form. Facilitated tucking position was applied to the neonates in the experimental group

(n = 44) in the early postnatal period. The routine application of the unit was performed on neonates

(n = 45) in the control group. Ethical principles were followed at every stage of the study.

Findings: It was determined that the physiological parameters (heart rate, oxygen saturation, body

temperature, respiratory rate) in the experimental group positioned with facilitated tucking showed a

significant improvement compared to the control group (p<0.001). When the mean comfort (Experi-

ment: 9.79±3.63, Control: 15.73±5.13) and LATCH (Experiment: 8.00±1.76, Control: 5.82±2.18) scores of

neonates in the experimental group were compared with the control group, a significant difference was

found in favor of the experimental group (p<0.001).

Implications for practice: It was determined that the physiological parameters, comfort level and sucking

success of late preterm infants who were positioned with facilitated tucking in the early postnatal period

were positively affected.