The Effect of Yakson Touch on Pain and Physiological Parameters of the Newborn

Background: The stressors faced by the newborn can directly affect the newborn’s sensory development, brain development and organization by causing pain in the newborn. Yakson touch, a traditional Korean cultural practice, is known to reduce the pain in the newborn. Aims: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of Yakson touch applied to the newborn on pain and physiological parameters during the heel prick procedure. Methods: The study was conducted using a randomized controlled trial design (experimental, control). The study sample consisted of 80 newborns (experimental group = 40, control group = 40), all born between 35-40 gestational weeks and considered suitable for clinical conditions. Yakson touch is a technique that involves warm, pressure less, slow, and compassionate touch, following a fixed fifteen-minute protocol. The Yakson touch protocol was initiated for the experimental group before the heel prick procedure. Research data were obtained using the Parent and Baby Information Form, Physiological Parameters Observation Form and Newborn Baby Pain Scale. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS V23 and the significance level was taken as p < .05. Results: There was no difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of neonatal oxygen saturation, heart rate, and pain score before, during, and after the procedure (p > .05). There was no difference in cry duration between the two groups before and after the heel prick procedure, but the newborns in the experimental group cried less during the heel prick procedure compared to the control group (p = .007). Conclusion: The newborns in the experimental group, who receives Yakson touch during the heel pricking procedure, had shorter crying times than those in the control group. Therefore, it is recommended to include Yakson touch in nursing interventions during this procedure.