Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: May 23, 2025
Open Peer Review Period: May 23, 2025 - Jul 18, 2025
Date Accepted: Oct 17, 2025
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Effect of Multimodal Interventions on Pain, Stress and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Neonates with Malignant and Benign Tumour: A Systematic Review Protocol
ABSTRACT
Background:
Both benign and malignant tumors frequently require invasive diagnostic and treatment operations for newborns, subjecting them to severe discomfort and stress at a crucial juncture in their neurodevelopment. The foundation of treatment is medical care, although there is growing interest in the potential of multimodal interventions, such as integrative therapies, physiotherapy, and non-pharmacological approaches, to minimize discomfort and enhance neurodevelopmental results.
Objective:
To systematic evaluate how well multimodal therapies reduce stress and suffering while enhancing neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants with both benign and malignant tumors.
Methods:
The PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) standards will be followed in the conduct of this systematic review. Studies that use multimodal therapies (e.g., physiotherapy, massage, music therapy, kangaroo care, or other non-pharmacologic techniques) for newborns with proven malignant or benign tumors will be considered. A thorough literature search will be conducted using databases such as the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL. Cohort studies, case-control studies, quasi-experimental studies, and randomized controlled trials will all be considered. Measures of pain (such as validated neonatal pain scales), stress (such as cortisol levels and behavioral markers), and neurodevelopment (such as the Bayley Scales of Infant Development) will be the main objectives.
Results:
Actual results are not yet available because this is a process for a planned review. The expected results will compile data on the efficacy of interventions, the best times and methods for delivering multimodal strategies, and safety profiles in this susceptible group.
Conclusions:
The purpose of this systematic review is to offer evidence-based perspectives on how multimodal therapies can enhance the standard of care for newborns with malignancies. It is anticipated that the results will influence clinical recommendations and encourage more investigation into integrative strategies for promoting the growth and health of newborns in oncological settings. Clinical Trial: The Protocol has been registered on International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under ID: CRD420251053012. Registered on 14th May 2025, URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251053012
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