2012 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Stress-coping behavior in preterm infants between 33 and 35 weeks post-conceptual age

Research Project

Project/Area Number	23890033
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Research Field	Lifelong developmental nursing
Research Institution	Chiba University
Principal Investigator	NAKAI Aya 千葉大学, 大学院・看護学研究科, 助教 (30612197)
Project Period (FY)	2011 – 2012
Keywords	早産児 / 対処行動 / Developmental Care / ストレス / NICU
Research Abstract	The purpose of the present study was to clarify the characteristicsof stress-coping behavior exhibited by preterm infants between 33 and 35 weeks post-conceptual age. A total of 6 premature babies were observed and video-recorded. Data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. The following 4 patterns were obtained: 1) various coping behaviors appear sporadically; 2) after repeated responses, the coping behaviors grow from flexibly performed to strained; 3) the coping behaviors decrease after arm position becomes more unsteady; and 4) infants show weakened muscle tone and rapid sleep state decline. These findings indicate that it is necessary to care for these infants by keeping them in a suitable position that does not restrict their arm movement.

(2 results)