Clinical Research Directory

The Effect of Breast Milk, 10% and 20% Dextrose on Pain and Physiological Variables During Heel Puncture in Infants

Pain, defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain as a subjective, sensory, and emotional experience, differs from nociception, which is merely a neural activity. Premature newborns, whose inhibitory fibers are not yet mature due to anatomical and physiological development and who have insufficient endogenous opioid release, experience painful stimuli much more intensely. The inability of this age group to verbally express pain makes the diagnosis, assessment, and management of pain entirely dependent on healthcare professionals. Pain that is not effectively managed leads to stress and loss of comfort in the short term, while in the long term it can cause permanent neurodevelopmental problems and alter the individual's pain threshold later in life. Premature infants, especially those in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), are exposed to invasive procedures that cause moderate to severe pain, such as heel prick tests, much more frequently than healthy term infants. In this context, pain management is a fundamental and essential nursing responsibility for the infant's neuroprotective developmental care. The literature shows that various non-pharmacological methods, such as oral sucrose, non-nutritive sucking (NNS), facilitated flexion, and wrapping, are used to alleviate pain during interventional procedures. Although more readily available in NICUs, studies on the effectiveness of oral glucose solutions are more limited compared to sucrose. This research, designed to address this gap in the existing literature, aims to investigate the effect of "oral breast milk, 20%, and 10% dextrose solution administered with supportive positioning methods" on pain reduction during heel prick blood sampling in premature newborns. The results of this research are expected to contribute to the development of a new, easily applicable, effective, and evidence-based nursing intervention strategy for NICUs.

The Effect of the Side Kangaroo Position in Newborns Undergoing Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation

Aim:The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of the side kangaroo position on comfort and physiological parameters in newborns receiving noninvasive mechanical ventilation. Method: The study will be conducted between February 2026 and July 2026 at Mersin University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, with infants receiving nCPAP. Newborns scheduled to receive nCPAP will be divided into two groups (Side Kangaroo Position Group: 48, Control Group: 48), comprising a total of 92 newborns. Prior to the procedure, infants will be placed in the side kangaroo position on their mothers' chests; the control group will receive routine clinical care. Infants will be assessed using an "information form" and the "Newborn Comfort Behavior Scale." Vital signs will also be recorded before and after the procedure.

The Effect of a Breastfeeding and Infant Care Education Program Prepared According to Mercer Theory on Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, Readiness for Infant Care, and Acceptance of the Maternal Role

This study aims to examine the effects of a breastfeeding and infant care education program, developed based on Mercer's Maternal Role Development Theory, on pregnant women's breastfeeding self-efficacy, readiness for infant care, and acceptance of the maternal role. The randomized controlled trial will be conducted with 142 pregnant women between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation who have not received any prior structured education. Data will be collected using the "Personal Information Form," the "Prenatal Breastfeeding-Self-Efficacy Scale," the "Pregnant Women's Readiness for Newborn Hygienic Care Scale," and the "Prenatal Self-Assessment Scale-Maternal Role Acceptance Subscale." Pregnant women in the experimental group will receive a two-session face-to-face education program (breastfeeding and infant care) based on Mercer's theory. One week after the training, participants will be asked to complete the same scales again. Project management included determining the sample size using G\*Power, conducting randomization, and analyzing the data using SPSS. The research will be conducted with ethics committee approval, and participant rights will be strictly adhered to. The broad impact of this study is that structured prenatal education can improve mothers' breastfeeding success and readiness for infant care, facilitating the transition to the motherhood role. The project, which aims to fill gaps in the literature, will contribute to both midwifery practice and evidence-based contributions to maternal and infant health.