Abstract
Background
Hospitalized infants may undergo frequent painful procedures with inadequate pain relief. Alternative pain relief interventions are needed.
Objective
The aim of this research was to determine the safety of noninvasive electrical stimulation of acupuncture points (NE-SAP) in neonates who were receiving routine heel sticks.
Design
This was a descriptive study performed to assess the safety of using a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit to deliver NESAP to neonates.
Setting/Subjects
The subjects were healthy newborn infants < 3 days old before hospital discharge.
Intervention
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.
Main Outcome Measures
Three main measures were used: (1) skin assessment (2) vital signs; (3) pain scores using the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP).
Results
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 non-significant 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.
Conclusions
NESAP is safe for infants with low settings on a TENS unit.
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Medical Acupuncture 25,4;2013:285–90. DOI: 10.1089/acu.2012.0952
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Yates, C., Mitchell, A.J., Lowe, L.M. et al. Safety of Noninvasive Electrical Stimulation of Acupuncture Points During a Routine Neonatal Heel Stick. Dtsch Z Akupunkt 58, 29–30 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0415-6412(15)60011-X
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0415-6412(15)60011-X