Effectiveness of technology-based interventions compared with other non-pharmacological interventions for relieving procedural pain in hospitalized neonates: a systematic review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of technology-based interventions in relieving procedural pain in hospitalized neonates compared with other non-pharmacological interventions.

Introduction: Neonates requiring hospital care often experience acute pain during medical procedures. The current best practice for relieving pain in neonates is the use of non-pharmacological interventions, such as oral solutions or intervention-based human touch. Technological solutions (such as games, eHealth applications, and mechanical vibrators) have become more commonplace in pediatric pain management over recent years. However, there is a knowledge gap about how effective technology-based interventions are at relieving pain in neonates.

Inclusion Criteria: This review will consider experimental trials that include technology-based non-pharmacological interventions for relieving procedural pain in hospitalized neonates. Primary outcomes of interest include pain response to a procedure measured by a validated pain assessment scale for neonates, behavioral indicators, and/or changes in physiological indicators.

Methods: MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), Scopus (Elsevier), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the MEDIC databases will be searched for studies published in English, Finnish, and Swedish. Critical appraisal and data extraction will be conducted by two independent researchers following JBI methodology. Quantitative data will be pooled in statistical meta-analyses. If statistical analysis is not possible, the findings will be reported narratively.

Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO CRD42021254218.