Advances in family-integrated care for neonatal pain management in the neonatal intensive care unit

WU Bing, CAO Yunxiang, LIANG Xin, LI Xianhui

Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2026, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (5) : 576-580.

PDF(630 KB)
PDF(630 KB)
Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2026, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (5) : 576-580. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0371
Review

Advances in family-integrated care for neonatal pain management in the neonatal intensive care unit

  • WU Bing, CAO Yunxiang, LIANG Xin, LI Xianhui
Author information +
History +

Abstract

As an innovative care model in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), family-integrated care (FICare) faces challenges in the implementation of neonatal pain management that warrant further in-depth research and systematic evaluation. This article reviews the intervention approaches and outcomes of FICare in neonatal pain management within the NICU setting. Based on the current limitations and challenges in implementing FICare in Chinese NICUs, the article proposes future research directions, aiming to provide healthcare professionals with reference points for optimizing pain management strategies, enhancing family participation, and improving neonatal health outcomes.

Key words

neonates / pain / newborn intensive care units / family integrated care

Cite this article

Download Citations
WU Bing, CAO Yunxiang, LIANG Xin, LI Xianhui. Advances in family-integrated care for neonatal pain management in the neonatal intensive care unit[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2026, 34(5): 576-580 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0371

References

[1] Ohuma EO, Moller AB, Bradley E, et al. National, regional, and global estimates of preterm birth in 2020, with trends from 2010: A systematic analysis[J]. Lancet, 2023, 402(10409): 1261-1271.
[2] 张翠,傅开美,张丽丽,等. NICU早产儿母亲出院准备度与角色适应的相关性[J]. 护理学杂志,2020, 35(10): 21-23.
Zhang C, Fu KM, Zhang LL. Relationship between discharge readiness and role adaptation among mothers of preterm infants in NICU[J]. Journal of Nursing Science, 2020,35(10):21-23. (in Chinese)
[3] Cruz MD, Fernandes AM, Oliveira CR. Epidemiology of painful procedures performed in neonates: A systematic review of observational studies[J].Eur J Pain,2016, 20(4): 489-498.
[4] Guo W, Liu X, Zhou X, et al. Efficacy and safety of combined nonpharmacological interventions for repeated procedural pain in preterm neonates: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials[J]. Int J Nurs Stud, 2020, 102: 103471.
[5] Maxwell LG, Fraga MV, Malavolta CP. Assessment of pain in the newborn[J].Clin Perinatol,2019, 46(4): 693-707.
[6] Hei M, Gao X, Li Y, et al. Family integrated care for preterm infants in China: A cluster randomized controlled trial[J]. J Pediatr, 2021, 228: 36-43.e2.
[7] 黑明燕.新生儿重症监护病房早产儿的家庭参与式综合管理[J].中华实用儿科临床杂志,2019,34(14):1044-1047.
Hei MY. Family integrated care of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units [J]. Chin J Appl Clin Pediatr, 2019, 34(14): 1044-1047. (in Chinese)
[8] O'Brien K, Bracht M, Macdonell K, et al. A pilot cohort analytic study of family integrated care in a Canadian neonatal intensive care unit[J]. Bmc Pregnancy Childbirth, 2013, 13(Suppl 1): 12.
[9] 张敏,张丽,关志,等.家庭参与式护理模式应用于NICU早产儿护理的研究进展[J].中国护理管理, 2018, 18(12): 1692-1696.
Zhang M, Zhang L, Guan Z, et al. A review on Family Integrated Care model in the care of premature infants in NICU[J]. Chinese Nursing Mangement, 2018, 18(12): 1692-1696. (in Chinese)
[10] 向希盈,李颖,李卓颖,等.中国新生儿重症监护病房中实施家长参与早产儿住院期间综合管理与常规护理平行对照研究[J].中国循证儿科杂志, 2016, 11(3): 177-181.
Xiang XY, Li Y, Li ZY, et al. Feasibility study of family-integrated-care in neonatal intensive care units in China: A parallel controlled trial[J]. Chin J Evid Based Pediatr, 2016, 11(3): 177-181. (in Chinese)
[11] WHO Immediate KMC Study Group. Immediate "kangaroo mother care" and survival of infants with low birth weight[J]. N Engl J Med, 2021, 384(21): 2028-2038.
[12] Wang Y, Zhang L, Dong W, et al. Effects of kangaroo mother care on repeated procedural pain and cerebral oxygenation in preterm infants[J].Am J Perinatol, 2023, 40(8): 867-873.
[13] Shukla VV, Chaudhari AJ, Nimbalkar SM, et al. Skin-to-skin care by mother vs. father for preterm neonatal pain: A randomized control trial (ENVIRON Trial)[J]. Int J Pediatr,2021, 2021: 8886887.
[14] Srivastava G, Garg A, Chhavi N, et al. Effect of kangaroo mother care on pain during orogastric tube insertion in low-birthweight newborns: An open label, randomised trial[J]. J Paediatr Child Health, 2022, 58(12): 2248-2253.
[15] 沈巧,郑显兰,史源,等.中国新生儿疼痛管理循证指南(2023年)[J].中国当代儿科杂志, 2023, 25(2): 109-127.
Shen Q, Zheng XL, Shi Y, et al. Evidence-based guideline for neonatal pain management in China (2023)[J]. Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2023, 25(2): 109-127. (in Chinese)
[16] 中国医师协会新生儿科医师分会循证专业委员会. 早产儿和低出生体重儿袋鼠式护理临床实践指南(2022)[J]. 中国循证医学杂志,2023, 23(3): 249-264.
Neonatologist Branch Evidence-based Professional Committee of Chinese Medical Doctor Association. Clinical practice guideline for kangaroo mother care in preterm and low birth weight infants (2022)[J]. Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, 2023, 23(3): 249-264. (in Chinese)
[17] Lago P, Garetti E, Bellieni CV, et al. Systematic review of nonpharmacological analgesic interventions for common needle-related procedure in newborn infants and development of evidence-based clinical guidelines[J]. Acta Paediatr, 2017, 106(6): 864-870.
[18] Sen E,Manav G.Effect of kangaroo care and oral sucrose on pain in premature infants: A randomized controlled trial[J]. Pain Manag Nurs, 2020, 21(6): 556-564.
[19] Li W, Yu Z, Jing Y. Effect evaluation of kangaroo mother care in Liping area, Guizhou Province, China[J]. BMC Pediatr, 2022, 22(1): 649.
[20] 夏冬晴,陈梦莹,李晓南.新生儿疼痛对儿童行为发育的影响和机制研究进展[J].中国儿童保健杂志, 2016, 24(2): 149-152.
Xia DQ, Chen MY, Li XN. Research progress on the influence and mechanism of neonatal pain on children's behavioral development[J]. Chin J Child Health Care, 2016, 24(2): 149-152. (in Chinese)
[21] 张善,陈春美,魏小娟,等. 吊床体位减轻早产儿足底采血疼痛的效果观察[J]. 护理学杂志, 2022, 37(18): 52-54.
Zhang S, Chen CM, Wei XJ, et al.Effect of hammock position on alleviating pain caused by heel prick in premature infants [J]. Journal of Nursing Science, 2022, 37(18): 52-54. (in Chinese)
[22] Kirbaş Z, OdabaşI Aktaş E, Bayraktar B, et al. Effect of kangaroo mother care and white noise on physiological-stress parameters in heel lancing: Randomized controlled study[J]. BMC Pediatr, 2024, 24(1): 568.
[23] Liu X, Li Z, Chen X, et al. Utilization pattern of kangaroo mother care after introduction in eight selected neonatal intensive care units in China[J]. BMC Pediatr, 2020, 20(1): 260.
[24] Wieser NV, Ghiboub M, Verseijden C, et al. Exploring the immunomodulatory potential of human milk: Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation and its impact on neonatal gut health[J]. Nutrients, 2024, 16(10): 1531.
[25] 王淼,雷静,尤浩军.褪黑素神经调控通路及镇痛机制[J].中国康复医学杂志, 2022, 37(11): 1586-1591.
Wang M, Lei J, You HJ. Neural regulatory pathways and analgesic mechanisms of melatonin[J]. Chinese Journal Rehabilitation Medicine, 2022, 37(11): 1586-1591. (in Chinese)
[26] Benoit B, Newman A, Martin-Misener R, et al. The influence of breastfeeding on cortical and bio-behavioural indicators of procedural pain in newborns: Findings of a randomized controlled trial[J]. Early Hum Dev, 2021, 154: 105308.
[27] Erdoğan Ç, Çamur Z. The impact of breast milk taste and smell in reducing pain in infants undergoing blood drawing procedure: A randomized controlled study[J]. Breastfeed Med, 2022, 17(8): 673-677.
[28] 李茸茸, 张璐. 抚触联合游泳在新生儿胆红素脑病护理中的应用[J]. 护理研究, 2020, 34(8): 1351-1355.
Li RR, Zhang L. Application of touching combined swimming in nursing of neonatal bilirubin encephalopathy[J]. Chinese Nursing Research, 2020, 34(8): 1351-1355.(in Chinese)
[29] Packheiser J, Hartmann H, Fredriksen K, et al. A systematic review and multivariate meta-analysis of the physical and mental health benefits of touch interventions[J]. Nat Hum Behav, 2024, 8(6): 1088-1107.
[30] 李丽华. 抚触对减轻新生儿末梢血采集所致疼痛的效果分析[J]. 中国医药指南, 2024, 22(17): 102-104.
Li LH. Analysis of the effect of touching on relieving pain caused by neonatal peripheral blood collection[J]. Guide of China Medicine, 2024, 22(17): 102-104. (in Chinese)
[31] Hauck AGV, Van Der Vaart M, Adams E, et al. Effect of parental touch on relieving acute procedural pain in neonates and parental anxiety (petal): A multicentre, randomised controlled trial in the UK[J]. Lancet Child Adolesc Health, 2024, 8(4): 259-269.
[32] Pillai Riddell RR, Bucsea O, Shiff I, et al. Non-pharmacological management of infant and young child procedural pain[J].Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2023, 6(6): CD006275.
[33] 凌雅,章新琼,宇丽,等.早产儿操作性疼痛非药物干预的研究进展[J].临床护理杂志,2021,20(5):60-63.
Ling Y, Zhang XQ, Yu L, et al.Research progress on non-pharmacological interventions for procedural pain in preterm infants[J].Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2021, 20(5): 60-63. (in Chinese)
[34] 许冬梅, 林梅, 王嘉莹, 等. 非营养性乳房吸吮模式对早产儿喂养效果的影响[J]. 军事护理, 2024, 41(11): 26-29.
Xu DM, Lin M, Wang JY, et al. Effect of None-nutritive breast sucking on the feeding outcomes of preterm infants[J]. Mil Nurs, 2024, 41(11): 26-29. (in Chinese)
[35] 李丽玲,王丽,于玲,等.非营养性乳房吸吮对极低出生体重早产儿经口喂养能力的影响[J].中华护理杂志,2023,58(12):1422-1427.
Li LL, Wang L, Yu L, et al. Effects of non-nutritive breast sucking on the oral feeding ability of very low birth weight preterm infants[J]. Chin J Nurs, 2023, 58(12): 1422-1427. (in Chinese)
[36] 李凤妮,李小容,韦琴,等.母亲声音刺激对早产儿心率和行为状态的影响[J].护理学杂志, 2016, 31(7): 20-22.
Li FN, Li XR, Wei Q, et al. Effects of maternal sound stimulation on heart rate and behavior status in premature infants [J]. Journal of Nursing Science, 2016, 31(7): 20-22. (in Chinese)
[37] 陈羽双,谭彦娟,周乐山.母亲声音刺激对缓解住院新生儿操作性疼痛的效果观察[J].中国当代儿科杂志, 2019, 21(1): 58-63.
Chen YS, Tan YJ, Zhou LS. Clinical effect of maternal voice stimulation in alleviating procedural pain in hospitalized neonates [J]. Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2019, 21(1): 58-63. (in Chinese)
[38] 陈妍君, 李杨, 孙静, 等. 母亲声音缓解新生儿重症监护病房患儿静脉穿刺所致疼痛的干预效果研究[J]. 中国护理管理, 2018, 18(12): 1705-1709.
Chen YJ, Li Y, Sun J, et al. The effect of maternal voice on neonates' pain caused by venipuncture in the neonatal intensive care unit[J]. Chinese Nursing Management, 2018, 18(12): 1705-1709.(in Chinese)
[39] Kahraman A, Gümüş M, Akar M, et al. The effects of auditory interventions on pain and comfort in premature newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit:A randomised controlled trial[J]. Intensive Crit Care Nurs, 2020, 61: 102904.
[40] Kassab M, Nuseair K, Al-Qaoud N, et al. Is facilitated tucking by parents more effective than dextrose water (10%) in reducing full-term neonatal pain during the heel-lancing procedure: A randomized controlled trial[J].Int J Pharm Res, 2020, 12(1): 1-8.
[41] Akbari N, Mutlu B, Khoddam H. Comparison of the effect of maternal breast milk odor, facilitated tucking, and nonnutritive sucking applied to preterm neonates during heel stick on pain and physiological parameters: A randomized controlled trial[J]. Breastfeed Med, 2025, 20(4): 244-255.
PDF(630 KB)

Accesses

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/