Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care versus Hammock Positioning on Physiological Indices and Behavioral Organization among Preterm Neonates: A Humanized Nursing Approach

Abstract

Background: Preterm neonates are forced into extrauterine existence before the attainment of full development. Supportive developmental measures as kangaroo care and hammock positioning make preterm neonates feel as if they are in the womb, which promote their serenity, relaxation and deep sleep state. Aim of the present study was to investigate the comparative effect of kangaroo mother care versus hammock positioning on physiological indices and behavioral organization among preterm neonates. Subjects and method: A quasi-experimental, pre-posttests, research design was carried out at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Smouha Specialized University Hospital for Children in Alexandria, Egypt. A sample of 90 preterm neonates were randomly assigned into three equal groups. Results: A remarkable decline in preterm neonates' mean behavioral state was noticed after applying kangaroo mother care compared to hammock positioning group with significant statistical difference (P<0.001). Hence, majority of preterm neonates were in a sleepy state after receiving kangaroo care compared to nearly two-thirds of the hammock positioning group and about one-third of the control group with significant statistical difference (p<0.001). Moreover, kangaroo mother care and hammock positioning were effective in stabilizing the preterm neonates' physiological indices compared to the control group. Conclusion and recommendations: Both kangaroo mother care and hammock positioning were proved to be promising in enhancing the preterm neonates' physiological stability and behavioral organization; however, kangaroo care revealed a superior effect over hammock positioning. Accordingly, there is an immense need to incorporate supportive developmental measures into care protocols of neonatal intensive care units.