Aromatherapy Massage Applied on Constipation

Effect of Abdominal Massage Applied With Ginger and Lavender Oil on Constipation for Elderly Individuals

Aim: This study was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study to examine the effect of abdominal massage with ginger and lavender oil on constipation in elderly individuals.

Design: The study was completed with 40 elderly individuals in Kayseri nursing home, including 20 in intervention and 20 in control group who met the criteria for inclusion in the study. In the study, written informed volunteer consent was obtained from the individuals with the approval of the ethics committee and the permission of the institution.

The elderly individuals in the intervention group underwent aromatherapy massage with ginger and lavender oils for a period of five days and 15 minutes on weekdays for four weeks according to the abdominal massage application protocol. No application was made to individuals in the control group.

Aim: This study was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study to examine the effect of abdominal massage with ginger and lavender oil on constipation in elderly individuals.

Design: The study was completed with 40 elderly individuals in Kayseri nursing home, including 20 in intervention and 20 in control group who met the criteria for inclusion in the study. In the study, written informed volunteer consent was obtained from the individuals with the approval of the ethics committee and the permission of the institution. The data were collected by the researcher using the Questionnaire Form, Bristol Stool Scale, Rome IV Criteria, Constipation Severity Scale and Mini Mental Test.

The elderly individuals in the intervention group underwent aromatherapy massage with ginger and lavender oils for a period of five days and 15 minutes on weekdays for four weeks according to the abdominal massage application protocol. No application was made to individuals in the control group. The "Bristol Stool Scale" and "Constipation Severity Scale" were re-applied to the individuals in the intervention and control group before, during the second week of practice and at the end of practice (fourth week).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Elderly individuals with constipation determined by the institution doctor,
• Individuals diagnosed with constipation according to the Roma-criteria,
• Individuals, who achieved a score of 24 and higher on the standardized mini mental test (SMMT),
• Individuals, who do not have lesions disrupting skin integrity in the abdominal region,
• And elderly individuals, who agreed to participate in the study were included.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),
• Individuals who have undergone bowel surgery before,
• Individuals diagnosed with colon cancer,
• Individuals with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy,
• Individuals with umbilical hernia
• And individuals allergic to lavender and ginger oil.