J Nurs Acad Soc.  1983 Dec;13(3):119-126.

A study of the influence of stimulus on newborn infant's response: Specifically in heart rate change

• Lee JH
• Ha YS

Abstract

Early extra-uterine development of the newborn infant has the potential for clarifying important questions of nature and care taking environment. In this study, tactile and auditory stimulation is used on . a group of infants to determine the effects of their response. Infants were tested by EKG at 24-48 hrs after birth and all they are free from complication. Stimuli presented were touch and sound (40dB, 70dB and 40-70dB). The result of the study were as follows: 1) The heart rate was seen to depend on their sleep-wake state. (light sleep; 125/mm, eyes open & motor activity increase; 151/mm crying; 185/mm). 2) The heart rate affected by tactile & auditory stimulus. The heart rate response was acceleration above the prestimulus level. (tactile,. 23/mm increase, auditory; 16-21/min increase) and heart rate change was seen to depend on prestimulus rate. (r=. 73) 3) There was a decrease in heart rate when they were soothe. (touch ; 24. 8sec, 21/mm decrease, pacifier; 14.5sec, 26/mm decrease) and significant difference in time between touch and pacifier (t=1.76, p<0.05). This result support the evaluation of newborn infant's sensory abilitics, and has even begin to influence changes in nursing care. But systemic monitoring of newborn infants respense would further define.

MeSH Terms

Acceleration
Acoustic Stimulation
Crying
Electrocardiography
Heart Rate*
Heart*
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn*
Motor Activity
Nursing Care
Pacifiers
Parturition