Effect of whole body massage on pain scores of neonates during venous puncture and comparison with oral dextrose and Kangaroo care, a randomized controlled evaluator-blind clinical study

Objective Newborns in NICUs experience many painful procedures. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of whole body massage therapy on pain scores during venipuncture and to compare with oral 10% dextrose and Kangaroo care. Study design Newborns with gestational age ≥34 weeks were randomly enrolled to one of three groups: dextrose, massage and Kangaroo care and a blinded investigator scored the pain using NIPS before and during the procedure. Results There were 25, 26 and 23 newborns in dextrose, massage and Kangaroo care groups, respectively. Pain scores were similar before and during venipuncture in groups ( p > 0.05). 36.5% of newborns (27/74) had severe pain scores. Number of newborns with no pain (score 0–2), moderate pain (score 3–4) and severe pain (score 5–7) were similar in each group. Conclusion Massage, Kangaroo and oral 10% dextrose had similar effects on pain scores during venipuncture.