Effects of White Noise on Pain Scores and Salivary Cortisol Levels in Surgical Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Neonates experience varying intensities of pain after surgery. While white noise has been used for postoperative pain relief in infants, its effects on neonates after surgery need further exploration. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of white noise on pain scores and salivary cortisol levels in surgical neonates. In this randomized controlled trial, 64 neonates scheduled for surgery were recruited and assigned by block randomization into 2 groups. The intervention group listened to white noise at 50 dB, while the control group listened to white noise at 0 dB, for 30 minutes 6 times for 48 hours postoperatively. Pain scores, measured by the COMFORTneo Scale, and salivary cortisol levels were compared. Although pain scores decreased after surgery in all subjects, no statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups (P = .937). There was a significant difference between pre- and postintervention pain scores in the intervention group only (P = .006). Salivary cortisol levels decreased after intervention in the intervention group, but there was no significant difference between pre- and postintervention levels in the 2 groups (P = .716). Given the reduction in pain scores and salivary cortisol concentrations after white noise intervention, white noise shows potential as an adjunctive soothing measure for neonates after surgery. Future studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and utility of white noise intervention in clinical settings. Copyright © 2024 by The National Association of Neonatal Nurses.

Citation

Siya Lin, Li Li, Xuyan Ren, Chunxia Zhong, Kai Wu, Xiaoling Fang, Shaocong Liang, Xuedong Chen, Jingxia Chen, Liucheng Yang, Xiaowu Wang, Bin Wang. Effects of White Noise on Pain Scores and Salivary Cortisol Levels in Surgical Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses. 2024 Jun 01;24(3):291-300

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PMID: 38815280

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