The Effect of Gentle Touch on Cardiorespiratory Indices and Pain Behaviors Related to Venipuncture and Blood Sampling in Preterm Infants Under Intensive Care.

Background: Infants undergo extremely painful procedures in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which if left uncontrolled may cause complications. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate gentle touch effect on cardiorespiratory indices and pain behaviors related to venipuncture and blood sampling in preterm infants.

Materials And Methods: A quasi-experimental study was undertaken in gentle touch and control groups in three stages.