Journal of Infectious Diseases & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Septicemia is one of the major causes of infant mortality. Premature infants are more at risk of septicemia due to the lack of development of the defense system, the acquisition of aggressive care and long hospitalization time. The application of therapeutic touch in neonatal intensive care unit is expanding to implement developmental and holistic care. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of healing touch (HT) on death rate and physiological criteria in neonates with septicemia. This is a randomized clinical trial, in which 50 premature infants with septicemia admitted to NICUs of hospitals affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences of Iran were selected through convenience sampling and assigned randomly in two groups. In the HT group, the procedure was conducted twice a day (morning and evening) for 15 minutes over 10 days. The physiologic variables (O2 saturation, respiration rate, heart rate) were recorded 10 minutes prior to HT, during 15 minutes of HT (7th minute) and 10 minutes after HT. The number of deaths was recorded in both groups. Data were analyzed with SPSS 21 using repeated measurements analysis. The death rate in the HT group was significantly lower than the control group during intervention (P=0.001). The mean heart rate in HT group in evening record was lower compared to control group, but statistically was not significant (P=0.07). There was statistically significant difference in the respiratory rate of the neonates in morning and evening record between the groups (P=0.009, P=0.005)). Results showed significant difference in the mean of O2 saturation in morning record in the HT group was higher than control group (P=0.006). Repeated measurements test showed that the trend of changes in all physiological criteria were not significantly different during the intervention period (p>0.05). The death rate in the HT group was significantly lower than the control group and healing touch may have a positive effect on reducing respiration rate, and could be effective in increasing O2 saturation in premature infants with septicemia.

Biography

Manijeh Nourian has completed his PhD in Nursing at University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences and he is Scientific Member and Director of Pediatric & NICU Nursing department, Nursing & Midwifery School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Email:manighea@yahoo.com