Influence of the Use of Hearing Protection in the Salivary Cortisol Level and in the Sleep of Premature Infants

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the use of headphones in salivary cortisol levels in newborns (NB) during periods of nap aimed at noise reduction, brightness and handling NB, measure the concentrations of salivary cortisol before (baseline) and after the use of hearing protection (response) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A NICU nap periods and compare the influence of the use and non-use of hearing protection in salivary cortisol levels and sleep patterns of infants during nap periods of the NICU.

Detailed Description
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The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the use of headphones in salivary cortisol levels in newborns (NB) during periods of nap aimed at noise reduction, brightness and handling NB, measure the concentrations of salivary cortisol before (baseline) and after the use of hearing protection (response) in the NICU nap periods and compare the influence of the use and non-use of hearing protection in salivary cortisol levels and sleep patterns of infants during nap periods of the NICU. Being the chance prosposta the use of headphones during periods of environmental control has an influence on the level of salivary cortisol and sleep in preterm infants. This is a randomized clinical trial, controlled, crossover, in which clinical intervention is introduced by the researcher that controls and varies, featuring experimental research. In this study the intervention being tested is the use of hearing protection in infants. The ear is employed in certain periods of the day. These periods established by the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU), are intended to promote environmental noise control and manipulation of the NB. Levels of cortisol present in the saliva of the newborn will be analyzed, allowing to measure the biologically active free cortisol in the body.

Official Title
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Influence of the Use of Hearing Protection in the Salivary Cortisol Level and in the Sleep of Premature Infants: Clinical, Randomized, Controlled, Crossover

Conditions
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Premature Newborn

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: use of earmuffs


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Premature newborn male or female; Inside the incubator; Clinically stable; No change in evoked otoacoustic emissions; Current weight between 1200 to 2000g. Exclusion Criteria: In phototherapy; In invasive mechanical ventilation and noninvasive; With any type of congenital malformation; Periventricular hemorrhage with grade II, III and IV; In using any medication depressant, analgesic or corticosteroid in last 24 hours; Premature newborn whose mother has a history of illicit drug use during pregnancy.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 3 Days
Maximum Age: 28 Days

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Use of earmuffs<br>The earmuffs are brand Natus® Pediatrics, Neonatal Noise Attenuators called MiniMuffs®, San Carlos, California, USA, which allow the reduction of sound pressure levels 7 to 12 decibels. | Device: use of earmuffs<br>* The earmuffs are brand Natus® Pediatrics, Neonatal Noise Attenuators called MiniMuffs®, San Carlos, California, USA, which allow the reduction of sound pressure levels 7 to 12 decibels. Are devices that have oval and anatomical shape that allow proper positioning of the ears of newborns. They are made with a soft foam and has hydrogel adhesive on the outer edges for attachment to the skin.<br>|
| Active Comparator: No use of earmuffs<br>No use of earmuffs are brand Natus® Pediatrics, Neonatal Noise Attenuators called MiniMuffs®, San Carlos, California, USA, which allow the reduction of sound pressure levels 7 to 12 decibels. | Device: use of earmuffs<br>* The earmuffs are brand Natus® Pediatrics, Neonatal Noise Attenuators called MiniMuffs®, San Carlos, California, USA, which allow the reduction of sound pressure levels 7 to 12 decibels. Are devices that have oval and anatomical shape that allow proper positioning of the ears of newborns. They are made with a soft foam and has hydrogel adhesive on the outer edges for attachment to the skin.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Comparison of Salivary Cortisol Levels and the Use of Hearing Protection | The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the use of earmuffs in salivary cortisol levels in newborns (NB) during periods of nap aimed at noise reduction. | 19 months | 
| Sleep of premature infants and use of earmuffs | The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the use of earmuffs in the sleep in premature infants. | 19 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Premature newborn, Cortisol, Stress