Glucose and reflexology for pain relief during arterial puncture in neonates: a protocol.

OBJECTIVE:To present a study protocol to compare glucose and reflexology in pain relief in neonate intensive care during arterial punctures. METHODS:A randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial protocol will be carried out at a teaching hospital maternity, with30 newborns admitted to neonate intensive care who are to undergo blood collection by arterial puncture. They will be randomly assigned to a control group (25% glucose) or an intervention group (foot reflexology). The primary outcome will be neonate pain scores during and after arterial puncture. Secondary outcomes will be crying time and variation in neonates' vital signs during and after the arterial puncture procedure. Registration number RBR-639bff. DISCUSSION:The results of this trial will provide new insights into the most appropriate intervention for the relief of neonate pain during painful procedures.