Research

Completed:  

Title: "Human Hand Mimetic Comforts High Risk Neonates"  

Presented at: XVIII Annual International Occupational Ergonomics and Safety Conference 2004: Houston, Texas, USA, May, 2004

Abstract

According to the March of Dimes (2004), there are currently 470,000 premature births each year in the United States. The number of premature births has been increasing in the past 20 years at a rate of .014% a year, and the number of viable premature births should increase in the near future due to increased technologies available to treat these neonates.  A controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of items currently used to comfort the neonates, including a patented device called “the Zaky™”, an item that mimics the shape, size, weight and touch of a static human hand and forearm (similar to a fleece sack with the shape of an elbow-length glove and filled with plastic beads) that may be converted into a pediatric bolster support device. The study was conducted in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas where the first prototype of this device has been used for over two years, and where the final product was introduced and tested in 2004.  All nurses from this NICU received an equivalent training program when the prototype product was first introduced to the NICU. This prototype consisted of a cotton glove with its cavity filled with plastic pellets and closed at the cuff.

The results of a subjective perception and satisfaction questionnaires indicated that the prototype of the device (hand-only) ranked third out of eleven items currently used to comfort and support the infants among participants in the experiment. The final device, which adds the forearm and the ability to convert into a pediatric bolster support device, was tested on infants weighing less than 4000 grams at birth (8.8lbs). Our results showed clearly that the device adds to the patient’s comfort, support and sense of security. Nurses predominantly agree in saying that “the Zaky™”is a valuable tool that assists them on their work, especially when caring for multiple infants simultaneously. Moreover, they would recommend it to other NICUs.  As a nurse stated, “The Zaky™ has been instrumental in comforting both term and preterm babies when a human hand cannot remain with them. Placing the ‘hand’ so that it caresses the head or lower extremities provides boundaries such that the baby remains in a quiet behavioral state for longer periods, thus saving precious energy and facilitating growth.  By having parents place the device, they feel like they have left a part of them that will soothe their baby when they can’t be there”

The findings of this pilot study help identify the preferences and trends within a population of NICU nurses in regards to the device. These findings will also assist to further understand and define the needs for designing and developing future products that can assist the caregivers and the mothers of high-risk neonates during hospitalization and at home.