Abdominal Massage in Enteral Nutrition Patients

The Effect of Abdominal Massage on Gastrointestinal System Functions in Patients Nutrition Enterally With Continuous and Bolus Infusion.

Complications related to the gastrointestinal system may arise in patients receiving enteral nutrition through continuous and bolus infusion. These complications include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, increased gastric residual volume, and abdominal pain. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of abdominal massage applied to patients receiving enteral nutrition through continuous or bolus infusion on gastrointestinal system functions. For this purpose, 164 patients meeting the inclusion criteria will be randomized, and four groups will be defined. Half will constitute the experimental group, and the others will form the control group. In our study, the effects of massage on symptom control will be evaluated by comparing symptoms in patients receiving both forms of nutrition. Thus, the evaluation and control of medical conditions (symptoms) such as constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, increased abdominal distension, and increased gastric residual volume are targeted.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients in intensive care
• Those aged 18 and above
• Patients being fed through a nasogastric tube
• Patients on the first day of enteral nutrition
• Patients without wounds in the abdominal region
• Those who have not undergone abdominal surgery in the last 6 months
• Patients not receiving radiotherapy/chemotherapy
• Patients without a diagnosis of bowel obstruction
• Patients without diarrhea and constipation
• Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GKS) > 3
• Those with an APACHE II score > 16
• Patients not taking prokinetic agents
• Patients not taking laxative medications
• Patients without any contraindications for abdominal massage (to be determined in consultation with the primary physician)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients for whom enteral nutrition is discontinued during the study
• Patients with interrupted enteral nutrition
• Patients who have started prokinetic agents
• The study will be terminated for patients who have started laxative medication.