Effects of kangaroo care on pain relief in premature infants during painful procedures: A meta‐analysis

Abstract AIM This study aimed to evaluate effects of kangaroo care on pain relief in premature infants during painful procedures. Design A meta‐analysis. Methods Eight databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine [CBM], China Science and Technology Journal Database [CSTJ], China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], and WanFang Data) were systematically reviewed from inception to November 2021 for randomized controlled and crossover trials. Results Thirteen studies, including 2311 infants (kangaroo care: 1153, control: 1158) were analyzed. Kangaroo care had a moderate effect on pain relief during painful procedures in premature infants at a gestational age of 32–36 + 6 weeks but no effect at 28–31 + 6 weeks. Furthermore, 15 or 30 min of kangaroo care had a moderate effect and could markedly relieve pain at the instant of and 30/60 s after, had a small effect at 90 s after, and no effect at 120 s after the procedure. Practice Implications Kangaroo care may be an effective nonpharmacologic alternative therapy to relieve procedural pain in premature infants born at a gestational age of 32–36 + 6 weeks.