Comparison of a rocking bed and standard bed for decreasing withdrawal symptoms in drug-exposed infants.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if the use of a mechanical rocking bed with maternal intrauterine sounds would decrease symptoms of withdrawal and promote neurobehavioral adaptation in drug-affected infants.


METHODS
This was a repeated measures experimental design, with infants randomized to a standard bed or a rocking bed. The sample consisted of 14 full-term infants who were prenatally exposed to methadone plus other illicit drugs.


RESULTS
Infants receiving the rocking bed therapy experienced a significant increase in withdrawal symptoms and sleep deprivation and displayed suboptimal neurobehavioral functioning on day 7 of life.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the use of a mechanical rocking bed may be overstimulating for these fragile infants during the acute period of withdrawal.
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001513:Beds / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003042:Cocaine / Q000032:analysis; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008470:Meconium / Q000737:chemistry; D008691:Methadone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009357:Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy* / Q000652:urine; D012107:Research Design; D013997:Time Factors