Effect of Abdominal Massage on Gastrointestinal Function among Enterally Fed Critically Ill Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Medical Surgical Nursing - Faculty of Nursing

2 Lecturer of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing

3 Lecturer of Medicine, Faculty of Medical - Ain Shams University

Abstract

Background: Critically ill patient need a nursing practice that can enhance getting all benefits of
enteralfeeding and improving the gastrointestinal function. Gastrointestinal function was gastric
residual volume, abdominal distension, vomiting and constipation. Aim: This study aimed to
explore the effect of abdominal massage on gastrointestinal function of enteral-feed critical ill
patients. Research Design: A Quasi experimental design was used. Setting: the study was
conducted at General Intensive Care Units in El Demerdash Hospital Affiliated from Ain Shams
University Hospital. Subjects: A purposive sample of 60 Patients who distributed randomly to
equal intervention and control groups from the previous mentioned setting. Results: there were
statically significant difference between the study group and control group subjects regarding
Gastric Residual Volume (GRV)was statistically significant in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th days indicating
higher GRV among control group. The abdominal circumference between the five days was
significantly in the two groups. None of patients in the study group were vomited along the study
period (5days) in compared to 5% of control patients without statistical significant differences.
Conclusions: The abdominal massage was significantly effective in lowering GRV, preventing
distension and avoiding vomiting. Recommendations: the current study recommended that this
practice can be applied as a caring procedure in the daily ICU care program.

Keywords

Egyptian Journal of Health Care
Volume 12, Issue 1
March 2021
Pages 801-813

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