Abstract

VILLAMIZAR-CARVAJAL, Beatriz; VARGAS-PORRAS, Carolina  and  GOMEZ-ORTEGA, Olga Rocío. Meta-Analysis: Effect of Interventions to Reduce the Stress Level of Parents of Premature Babies. Aquichan [online]. 2016, vol.16, n.3, pp.276-295. ISSN 1657-5997.  https://doi.org/10.5294/aqui.2016.16.3.2.

Introduction: The preterm birth of a baby stresses the parents, due to the risk of increased morbidity and mortality. Some interventions decrease parental stress levels while benefiting the neurodevelopment of the newborn. Objective: To categorize the main components of early intervention programs and to determine their effect in decreasing the stress levels of parents of hospitalized premature babies. Method: Meta-analysis with 9 controlled clinical trials that met the criteria of methodological rigor. Results: The interventions applied to parents of hospitalized premature babies showed a medium-low intensity effect on the perceived stress level (d = 0.36 IC [-0.68, -0.05]). However, heterogeneity tests indicate high inter-study variability (Q(df=8) = p-val: <0.00001), I2=85% ), partially explained by the moderating coded features for the studies. Conclusions: Even though the interventions revealed positive effects in reducing parental stress levels, it is shown that education and emotional support achieve a better effect together. Future research should examine aspects such as the quality of studies, interventions with emotional support, parental age and diversity in application contexts.

Keywords : Parents; Premature; Psychological Stress; Intervention; Meta-Analysis; Instruments; Neonatal Nursing.

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