The Effect of Different Music Listened During Retinopathy Examination to Premature Infants

September 3, 2026 updated by: Semra Kose, Necmettin Erbakan University

The Effect of Different Music Listened During Retinopathy Examination to Premature Infants on Their Pain and Comfort Level: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP); It is a disease of premature and low birth weight infants, characterized by incomplete vascularization of the retina, etiology and pathogenesis of which is unknown, and causes vision loss. There is an increase in the incidence and severity of ROP development in direct proportion to the decrease in birth week and birth weight. While ROP is a problem below 32 weeks of gestation in developed countries, it is reported to develop severely up to 34 weeks of gestation in developing countries. In a multicenter study conducted by the Turkish Neonatology Society in our country, the frequency of ROP in very low birth weight preterm infants was found to be 42%, and the frequency of advanced ROP was 11%. The incidence of ROP in babies with a gestational age of 33-35 weeks was 6.1%, and advanced ROP was 6 per thousand. The frequency of ROP was found to be 10.3% in babies with a birth weight of 1500-2000 grams, and severe ROP was reported in 19 of these babies. ROP examination is a procedure that causes pain, deterioration in comfort and physiological changes in preterm newborns. After this examination, an increase in blood pressure and heart rate and a decrease in oxygen saturation are observed. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological (non-pharmacological) methods are used to reduce the pain and increase the comfort level of the premature newborn. As a pharmacological method, there is no other routine method used to reduce pain other than the administration of local anesthetic drops before the examination. Because of this situation, nurses apply various non-pharmacological methods to alleviate pain. These methods are; breast milk, sucrose use, oral dextrose use, non-nutritive sucking, positioning, listening to music and mother's voice. In the literature, no specific study was found in which music was used to reduce pain and increase the comfort level during the ROP examination. Therefore, this research will be carried out to determine the effect of different music played on the pain and comfort level of premature babies during the retinopathy examination.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP); It is a disease characterized by incomplete vascularization of the retina seen in premature and low birth weight infants, the etiology and pathogenesis of which are unknown, causing vision loss. There is an increase in the incidence and severity of ROP development in direct proportion to the decrease in the week of birth and birth weight. While ROP is a problem below 32 weeks of gestation in developed countries, it is reported to develop severely up to 34 weeks of gestation in developing countries. In a multicenter study conducted by the Turkish Neonatology Society in our country, the frequency of ROP in very low birth weight preterm infants was found to be 42%, and the frequency of advanced ROP was 11%. The incidence of ROP in babies with a gestational age of 33-35 weeks was 6.1%, and advanced ROP was 6 per thousand. The frequency of ROP was found to be 10.3% in babies with a birth weight of 1500-2000 grams, and severe ROP was reported in 19 of these babies. Thanks to the increasing frequency of preterm birth in recent years and scientific and technological advances in neonatology, life expectancy is extended up to the 23rd week of gestation. However, this increased the incidence of retinopathy. Therefore, it is of great importance for neotologists, pediatricians and nurses who care for preterms to know the pathophysiology, staging, risk factors and principles of appropriate care for them in reducing the incidence, possible complications and mortality rates of ROP. ROP examination is a procedure that causes pain, deterioration in comfort and physiological changes in preterm newborns. After this examination, an increase in blood pressure and heart rate and a decrease in oxygen saturation are observed. These physiological changes observed after the examination continue for 24 hours. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological (non-pharmacological) methods are used to reduce the pain and increase the comfort level of the premature newborn. As a pharmacological method, there is no other routine method used to reduce pain other than the administration of local anesthetic drops before the examination. Because of this situation, nurses apply various non-pharmacological methods to alleviate pain. These methods are; breast milk, sucrose use, oral dextrose use, non-nutritive sucking, positioning, listening to music and mother's voice. In the literature review; In a study evaluating the effectiveness of sucrose combination with non-nutritive sucking, they reported that pain was moderately reduced and more studies are needed. In another study (2015), it was concluded that topical anesthesia and oral dextrose were not effective in reducing pain in both groups. In a study comparing the effectiveness of breast milk and sucrose, it is recommended to use breast milk because of the rapid recovery of the baby after the ROP examination. In the comparison of the position, which is another non-pharmacological method, with the routine practice in the study conducted in 2019; It has been concluded that the frock position is more effective in relieving pain. In another study, it was stated that the mother's voice as music therapy also showed an analgesic effect and accelerated the recovery after the ROP examination. In the light of this information, when we look at the literature, no specific study was found in which a rain stick and The Happiest Baby music were used to reduce pain and increase the comfort level during the ROP examination. Therefore, this research will be carried out to determine the effect of different music played on the pain and comfort level of premature babies during the retinopathy examination.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
84

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

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Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Meram
      • Konya, Meram, Turkey (Türkiye)
        • Necmettin Erbakan University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • • Gestational age ≤34 weeks

    • Birth Weight ≤2000 grams
    • Preterm newborns with a corrected/postnatal age of 28-36 weeks at the time of examination
    • Having the baby's first ROP examination
    • Not giving sedative, opioid and anticonvulsant drugs before/during the examination
    • Parents do not have diagnosed mental or mental problems and agree to participate in the research.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of a condition that prevents pain assessment (intracranial hemorrhage, neuromotor developmental retardation, etc.)

    • Oxygen requirement (nasal cannula, hood or incubator)
    • Having any congenital defect (eye, neurological) that may adversely affect the examination
    • Having a diagnosed hearing loss
    • Performing a different painful procedure at least one hour before the ROP
    • Being connected to a mechanical ventilator
    • Congenital hearing problems in family members

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Experiment 1 (Rainstick)
The experimental group will start playing music 3 minutes before the start of the process. The examination begins with the insertion of the speculum into the eye. The duration of the examination depends on the visibility of the vascularity in the retina and the examination will end with the removal of the speculum from the eye. The rain bar will continue to play during the ROP inspection. The rain stick will be played 25cm away from the baby.
Other: Research processes;
  1. Before Inspection: information will be obtained and premature babies will be monitored by wearing a pulse oximeter device and their heart rate and oxygen saturation value will be recorded for control purposes. By making video recordings of each premature baby; PIPP pain score, PBIC comfort score, control oxygen saturation and peak heart rate values will be recorded 3 minutes before the ROP examination. Babies will be fed and changed at least half an hour before the examination.
  2. Inspection Sequence: PIPP pain score, PBIC comfort score, control oxygen saturation and peak heart rate values will be recorded and evaluated from the video recording that continues with the start of the examination.
  3. End of Inspection: Infants whose both eye examinations are completed and whose monitoring and video recording continue will be recorded and evaluated 3 minutes after the end of the examination, with PIPP pain score, PBIC comfort score, control oxygen saturation and heart rate values.
Experimental: Experiment 2 (Music-The Happiest Baby)
During the ROP examination, Dr. Harvery Karp's "The Happiest Baby", which consists of only intrauterine sounds, is a group of babies who are listened to. The experimental group will start playing music 3 minutes before the start of the process. The examination begins with the insertion of the speculum into the eye. The duration of the examination depends on the visibility of the vascularity in the retina and the examination will end with the removal of the speculum from the eye. Music will continue to play during the ROP exam. The voice recorder that will play The Happiest Baby will be placed 25 cm away from the baby. In the study, the music volume will be set as 45-50 decibels.
Other: Research processes;
  1. Before Inspection: information will be obtained and premature babies will be monitored by wearing a pulse oximeter device and their heart rate and oxygen saturation value will be recorded for control purposes. By making video recordings of each premature baby; PIPP pain score, PBIC comfort score, control oxygen saturation and peak heart rate values will be recorded 3 minutes before the ROP examination. Babies will be fed and changed at least half an hour before the examination.
  2. Inspection Sequence: PIPP pain score, PBIC comfort score, control oxygen saturation and peak heart rate values will be recorded and evaluated from the video recording that continues with the start of the examination.
  3. End of Inspection: Infants whose both eye examinations are completed and whose monitoring and video recording continue will be recorded and evaluated 3 minutes after the end of the examination, with PIPP pain score, PBIC comfort score, control oxygen saturation and heart rate values.
No Intervention: Control
It is the group of infants who receive routine care during the ROP examination. In the control group, a routine ROP procedure will be performed without any music before, during and after the ROP examination.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Baby Information Form:
Time Frame: It will be applied when babies first arrive.
This form consists of 6 questions including the baby's birth weight, birth week, current weight, corrected week, and delivery type.
It will be applied when babies first arrive.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP)
Time Frame: Approximately 2 minutes of video will be recorded and measurement will be taken approximately in the first minute of the video and 2 minutes after the video.
Pain assessment of preterm infants was performed with Premature Infant Pain Profile. The scale, which was developed by Stevens et al. in 1996 for 28-36 weeks preterms, is a multidimensional measurement tool with 7 sub-title evaluation criteria in the evaluation of acute pain in preterms (Gibbins et al., 2014). Turkish validity and reliability for all term and preterms were made by Derebent in 2007 within the scope of his master's thesis (Derebent, 2007). All sub-headings are scored between 0,1,2,3. According to the Turkish validity and reliability study of the scale, the highest score obtained from the scale is 21; 0-6 points indicate mild pain, 7-12 points indicate moderate pain, and 13-21 points indicate severe pain.
Approximately 2 minutes of video will be recorded and measurement will be taken approximately in the first minute of the video and 2 minutes after the video.

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Premature Baby Comfort Scale
Time Frame: Approximately 2 minutes of video will be recorded and measurement will be taken approximately in the first minute of the video and 2 minutes after the video.
Ambuel et al. The comfort scale was developed by Monique et al. This scale was adapted to Turkish by Alemdar and Tüfekçi in 2015 by Alemdar and Tüfekçi. PBKO; It is a multidimensional scale used to evaluate behavioral and psychological comfort and pain. PBCS assesses 7 parameters such as Alertness, Calmness/Agitation, Respiratory Status (only with mechanical ventilation support) or Crying (not evaluated because it is scored only in children with spontaneous breathing), Physical Movement, Muscle Tone, Facial Movements, and Average Heart Rate. Accordingly, 35 indicates the lowest comfort score and 7 the highest. A high score on the scale indicates a low level of comfort. If the total score obtained is ≥17, it is the cut-off value of the scale, the limit value for the infant's comfort level, and indicates the need for an intervention to reduce pain.
Approximately 2 minutes of video will be recorded and measurement will be taken approximately in the first minute of the video and 2 minutes after the video.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Necmettin Erbakan University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Director: Semra KÖSE, Necmettin Erbakan University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

  • Bilgeç, G. H., & Erol N. (2018). Epidemiology, Prevalence and Incidence in Retinopathy of Prematurity (Vol. 2, Issue 1). Chen, H. L., Chen, C. H., Wu, C. C., Huang, H. J., Wang, T. M., & Hsu, C. C. (2009). The Influence of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Design on Sound Level. Pediatrics and Neonatology, 50(6), 270-274. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1875-9572(09)60076-0 Cohen, J. (2013). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Routledge. Corrigan, M. J., Keeler, J. R., Miller, H. D., ben Khallouq, B. A., & Fowler, S. B. (2020). Music therapy and retinopathy of prematurity screening: using recorded maternal singing and heartbeat for post exam recovery. Journal of Perinatology, 40(12), 1780-1788. https://doi.org/10.1038/S41372-020-0719-9 Derebent, E. (2007). The Effect of Kangaroo Care on Reducing Pain During Invasive Procedures for Premature Babies. Dilli, D., Ilarslan, N. E. Ç., Kabataş, E. U., Zenciroǧlu, A., Şimşek, Y., & Okumuş, N. (2014). Oral sucrose and non-nutritive sucking goes some way to reducing pain during retinopathy of prematurity eye examinations. Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway: 1992), 103(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/APA.12454 Dolgun, G. (2019). The Use of Pulse Oximetry in Defining Critical Congenital Heart Diseases and the Role of Midwife-Nurse. Journal of Education and Research in Nursing. https://doi.org/10.5222/head.2019.134 Gibbins, S., Stevens, B. J., Yamada, J., Dionne, K., Campbell-Yeo, M., Lee, G., Caddell, K., Johnston, C., & Taddio, A. (2014). Validation of the Premature Infant Pain Profile-Revised (PIPP-R). Early Human Development, 90(4), 189-193. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EARLHUMDEV.2014.01.005 Koç, E., Yağmur, A., Prof, B., Özdek, S., & Ovali, F. (2021). Turkish Neonatology Society Turkish Ophthalmology Society Turkey Retinopathy of Prematurity Guideline 2021 Update. Küçük Alemdar, D., & Güdücü Tüfekci, F. (2015). The Reliability and Validity of the Premature Infant Comfort Scale's Turkish. Journal of Education and Research in Nursing. https://doi.org/10.5222/head.2015.142 Metres, O. (2014). Retinopathy of Prematurity from a Nursing Perspective. https://cms.galenos.com.tr/Uploads/Article_25271/European%20Archives%20of%20Medical%20Research-30-63-En.pdf Metreş, Ö., & Yıldız, S. (2019). Pain Management with ROP Position in Turkish Preterm Infants During Eye Examinations: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 49, e81-e89. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PEDN.2019.08.013 Nesargi, S. v, Nithyanandam, S., Rao, S., Nimbalkar, S., & Bhat, S. (2015). Topical Anesthesia or Oral Dextrose for the Relief of Pain in Screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity: a Randomized Controlled Double-blinded Trial. https://doi.org/10.1093/tropej/fmu058 Parra, J., de Suremain, A., Berne Audeoud, F., Ego, A., & Debillon, T. (2017). Sound levels in a neonatal intensive care unit significantly exceeded recommendations, especially inside incubators. Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics, 106(12), 1909-1914. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.13906 Sancak, S., Topçuoğlu, S., Çelik, G., Günay, M., & Karatekin, G. (2019). Frequency of Retinopathy of Prematurity and Evaluation of Risk Factors. Zeynep Kamil Medical Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.16948/zktipb.474762 Sun, X., Lemyre, B., Barrowman, N., & O'Connor, M. (2010). Pain management during eye examinations for retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants: A systematic review. In Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics (Vol. 99, Issue 3, pp. 329-334). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01612.x Şener Taplak, A., & Erdem, E. (2017). A Comparison of Breast Milk and Sucrose in Reducing Neonatal Pain During Eye Exam for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Breastfeeding Medicine: The Official Journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, 12(5), 305-310. https://doi.org/10.1089/BFM.2016.0122 Taplak, A. S., & Erdem, E. (2018). Pain Management in Examination for Retinopathy of Prematurity. In Journal of Health Sciences) (Vol. 27, Issue 2).

Study record dates

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Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
June 1, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
March 1, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
July 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
July 8, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 21, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 1, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 4, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 3, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
January 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • NecmettinEUSKose

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

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