1Asst. Prof, Christian College of Nursing, Neyyoor, The Tamilnadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai
2Principal, Christian College of Nursing, Neyyoor, The Tamilnadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai
*Corresponding Author Email: babitharichardbabitha@gmail.com
Online published on 27 April, 2021.
To assess the effectiveness of oral stimulation on improving sucking reflex among pre-term infants.
Quantitative approach with one group pre-test post-test design was used to assess the effectiveness of oral stimulation on improving sucking reflex of pre-term infants, who were admitted in selected hospitals of Kanniyakumari district.
30 Pre-term infants with gestational age of 28 to 32 weeks were purposively assigned for the study and oral stimulation promoted was assessed.
At 28 to 32 weeks, after pre-test the pre-term infants received 15 minute oral stimulation intervention twice per day for 5 consecutive days. Data were measured by pre-term infant breastfeeding behavior scale.
It was analyzed by comparing the difference between pre and post findings. In the pre-test, it was revealed that no pre-term infants were effective vigorous sucking, 6(20%) were moderately effective feeders and 24 (80%) were sucking rhythm not established. Whereas, in post assessment scores 16 (53%) pre-term infants were effective vigorous sucking, 14 (46%) were moderately effective feeders.
The ‘t’values for sucking reflex (3.72) was found to be significant at p<0.05 level which indicated that oral stimulation was effective in improving sucking reflex among pre-term infants.
Oral stimulation, Sucking reflex, Pre-term infants, NICU
