Investigating the effect of neonates multi-sensory stimulation by mothers on stress in mothers of premature neonate hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit

Introduction: Failure to play a parental role and lack of opportunity to interact with infants is an important stressor for parents. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of neonates multi-sensory stimulation by mothers  on stress in mothers of premature neonate hospitalized  in neonatal  intensive care unit Methods: A quasi-experimental study was performed with census method in the neonatal intensive care unit of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd on 72 mothers (test and control). The experimental group stimulated the infant twice a day from the third to the sixth day Data collection tools including demographic information questionnaires and parental stress before and after the intervention were completed. Findings were analyzed in SPSS software version 20 using statistical tests. Results: There was no significant difference between the mean stress levels in the two groups before intervention, but after intervention the mean stress score in the areas of scenes and sounds, appearance and behavior of the infant, relationship with the infant and parental role and overall stress. There was a significant decrease compared to the control group (p <0.05).there was no significant difference between the mean stress levels in the area of ​​communication and behavioral behavior (p >0.05). Conclusion: The use of multi-sensory stimulation had a significant effect on reducing the stress of mothers with premature infants admitted to neonatal intensive care unit. Therefore, this method is recommended to improve the mental status of mothers.