[Effects of non-nutritive sucking on the physiological and behavioral states of pre-term infants during tube feeding].
OBJECTIVE
This study was to investigate the effects of non-nutritive sucking on physiological and behavioral state of pre-term infants during tube feeding.


METHODS
This nonequivalent, non-synchronized experimental study included 50 pre-term infants. An attempt was made to match gestational age and birth weight of infants in each group. Infants in the experimental group were given a pacifier 2 minutes before, during, and for 2 minutes after tube feeding. Infants in the control group did not get a pacifier. Both groups were tested at three stages for changes in the physiologic state and behavioral state--2 minutes before, during, and 2 minutes after feeding. Date was analyzed with SPSS WIN 10.0 using an Chi2-test, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA.


RESULTS
Heart rates and oxygen saturation levels of the two groups were significantly different(P=.001, P=.000). The behavioral states of the two groups were significantly different during and post feeding(P=.000, P=.000).


CONCLUSIONS
This result suggests non-nutritive sucking by using a pacifier is an effective intervention for pre-term infants during tube feeding.
Joung
Kyoung Hwa
KH
Department of Nursing, Honam University, 59-1, Seobong-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju 506-714, Korea. hwa0607@honam.ac.kr
Yoo
Il Young
IY
Kim
Hee Soon
HS
Kim
Soo
S
Lee
Ja Hyung
JH
D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D007224:Infant Care; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D041361:Pacifiers