title: Sensorial saturation for infants' pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sensorial saturation (SS) is a multisensorial stimulation consisting of delicate tactile, gustative, auditory and visual stimuli. This procedure consists of simultaneously: attracting the infant's attention by massaging the infant's face; speaking to the infant gently, but firmly, and instilling a sweet solution on the infant's tongue.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a systematic Medline search of for articles focusing on human neonatal studies related to SS. The search was performed within the last 10 years and was current as of January 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We retrieved 8 articles that used a complete form of SS and 2 articles with an incomplete SS. Data show that the use of SS is effective in relieving newborns' pain. Oral solution alone are less effective than SS, but the stimuli without oral sweet solution are ineffective. the partial forms of SS have some effectiveness, but minor than the complete SS. Only one article showed lack of SS as analgesic method, after endotracheal suctioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SS can be used for all newborns undergoing blood samples or other minor painful procedures. It is more effective than oral sugar alone. SS also promotes interaction between nurse and infant and is a simple effective form of analgesia for the neonatal intensive care unit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproduction Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo Valerio
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Bellieni
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tei
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Coccina
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Buonocore
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*