Maternal Speech Decreases Pain Scores and Increases Oxytocin Levels in Preterm Infants During Painful Procedures

In both intervention conditions, speaking and singing, the mothers were asked not to touch the baby but to pay close attention to his/her reactions and to modulate the voice accordingly. A nurse was present during all procedures.

In both intervention conditions, speaking and singing, the mothers were asked not to touch the baby but to pay close attention to his/her reactions and to modulate the voice accordingly. A nurse was present during all procedures.

the newborn was placed by the nurse in the incubator in the standard care conditions recommended for painful procedures (supine position, wrapped and contained by the nest).