Abstract: Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of maternal voice for alleviating procedural pain in neonates. Methods: We searched the database of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI and VIP, etc. The randomized controlled trials (RCT) and intervention researches of this topic which were published before May 2020 were included. The critical appraisal tool for RCT and quasi-experimental of Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) was used to evaluate the methodological quality of literature. Meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan5.3 software. Results: A total of six trials were included. During the painful operation, the neonates in maternal voice group scored lower in neonatal infant pain scale, meanwhile scored higher in comfort scale and showed lower in heart rates (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in blood oxygen saturation. After the painful operation, the intervention group still scored lower in pain scale and slower in heart rates (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the score of comfort scale and oxygen saturation. Conclusion: Maternal voice can reduce the pain scores and maintain heart rates in neonates during and after the painful procedure, and improve the comfort during the painful procedure.

Key words: maternal voice; neonates; procedural pain; Meta-analysis