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Tactile stimulation site in neonatal resuscitation

Optimal site of tactile stimulation during initial steps of neonatal resuscitation: a three-arm randomized controlled trial
Resuscitation · Added 27 July 2026

There was no difference in 5-min SpO2, need for further resuscitation in DR, cerebral oxygenation, and in-hospital complications with the three modes of TS, sole rub, trunk rub and back rub.

Study type

RCT

Design

Three-arm parallel-group randomised controlled trial

Participants

183 neonates ≥32 weeks' gestation needing stimulation at birth (60 sole rub, 60 trunk rub, 63 back rub)

Main finding

No difference in 5-min SpO2 (83.1 ± 11.7, 85.4 ± 11.9, 82.4 ± 14.8 for sole, trunk, back rub; p = 0.392), heart rate trends, need for further delivery room resuscitation, cerebral oxygenation, or in-hospital complications.

Caveat

Delivery-room setting in a single centre with modest sample size; not an out-of-hospital or paramedic population

Bottom line

Supports current practice

Learning goal

Strengthen my technique for tactile stimulation of the newborn, recognising that stimulation site appears unlikely to affect outcomes.

More

• Topic: Paediatrics
• Daily scan: 27 July 2026

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