An Experimental Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Nesting on Physiological Parameters and Posture of Preterm Babies in A Selected Hospital, New Delhi

Abstract

Preterm babies are physically immature and physiologically unstable. They cannot tolerate
environmental stimuli. Due to immaturity, they often lack adequate muscle tone and are at the risk
of developing an abnormal posture. Nesting helps maintain position, promote comfort and provide
physiological, behavioural and postural stability to premature babies. The objectives of the study were:
1. To assess the effectiveness of Nesting on physiological parameters and posture of preterm babies. 2.
To compare the effectiveness of Nesting on physiological parameters and posture of preterm babies in
both experimental and control group. 3. To find out the association between the physiological parameters
with the selected variables of preterm babies. 4. To find out the association between the posture with the
selected variables of preterm babies.
The study was done at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Kasturba Hospital and Hindu Rao Hospital,
Delhi. A total of 60 samples were randomly assigned into 2 groups (30in the experimental and 30
in the control group) through probability sampling technique (simple random sampling) using a chit
method. A structured interview schedule, record sheet to assess the physiological parameters and Infant
Positioning Assessment Tool were used to collect the data. Nesting was administered after a pre-test
to the experimental group for 9 hours for consecutive 6 days, and routine care was given to the control
group. Post-tests of physiological parameters were observed on the first day at the 3rd, 6thand 9th hour
and post-tests of posture were assessed on the 2nd, 4thand 6th day of both the groups. The findings
reveal that the calculated ‘t’ values of physiological parameters (Heart rate) were 2.261 in post-test 3
and found significant at p≤0.05. In the respiratory rate, the calculated ‘t’ value was 2, 2.079 in post-test
and found significant at p≤0.05. In oxygen saturation, the calculated ‘t’ value was 2, 3.28 in post-test
and found significant at p≤0.05. In posture, the calculated ‘t’ values were 3.644 in post-test 1, 9.917
in post-test 2 and 13.467 in post-test 3. The values were found to be significant in all the post-tests
at p≤0.05. Thus, the study concluded that Nesting effectively stabilises the physiological parameters
(Heart rate, Respiratory rate and Oxygen Saturation) and improves the preterm babies’ posture, and it
can be implemented as a useful measure.