Safety of Noninvasive Electrical Stimulation of Acupuncture Points During a Routine Neonatal Heel Stick.
Hospitalized infants may undergo frequent painful procedures with inadequate pain relief. Alternative pain relief interventions are needed.



The aim of this research was to determine the safety of noninvasive electrical stimulation of acupuncture points (NESAP) in neonates who were receiving routine heel sticks.



This was a descriptive study performed to assess the safety of using a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit to deliver NESAP to neonates.



The subjects were healthy newborn infants<3 days old before hospital discharge.



The intervention was NESAP delivered via a TENS unit, administered before, during, and after heel stick. The electrodes of the TENS unit were applied at four acupuncture points. Settings were gradually increased: 6 infants received 1.0 mA, 2 Hz; the second 6 infants received 2.0 mA, 10 Hz; and the last 18 infants received 3.5 mA, 10 Hz.



THREE MAIN MEASURES WERE USED: (1) skin assessment (2) vital signs; (3) pain scores using the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP).



There were no significant changes in vital signs during and after NESAP. There were no changes in PIPP scores in the first 12 infants after initiation of NESAP. A slight but nonsignificant increase in PIPP scores (from 2.65 to 3.5 on a scale of 0-18) occurred in the last 18 infants. There were no adverse events during or after NESAP.



NESAP is safe for infants with low settings on a TENS unit.
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Central Arkansas , Conway, AR. ; Department of Neurobiology, Center for Translational Neuroscience, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock, AR.
Charlotte C
CC
Yates
Department of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock, AR.
Anita J
AJ
Mitchell
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Central Arkansas , Conway, AR.
Leah M
LM
Lowe
Department of Neurobiology, Center for Translational Neuroscience, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock, AR.
Amy
A
Lee
Department of Neurobiology, Center for Translational Neuroscience, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock, AR. ; Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock, AR.
Richard W
RW
Hall
Neonate; Noninvasive Electrical Stimulation of Acupuncture Points (NESAP); Pain