Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 30, 2025
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Potential of Massage Therapy in Cerebral Palsy Using Animal Models
Published on: August 11, 2023
Effect of abdominal massage on bowel evacuation in neurosurgical intensive care patients
Gulay Altun Ugras1, Serpil Yüksel2, Meryem Turkan Isik3
1Nursing Faculty, Department of Surgical Nursing, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.
Background:
There are many factors, which affect the bowel evacuation of neurosurgical intensive care unit (NICU) patients, resulting in constipation.
Aim And Objectives:
The aim of this study was to investigate effect of abdominal massage on bowel evacuation and the risk of constipation in NICU patients.
Design:
A prospective, randomized-controlled clinical trial.
Methods:
The sample of this study included 80 NICU patients. The patients were randomly assigned to abdominal massage and control groups. The constipation risk of all the patients was assessed with Constipation Risk Assessment Scale (CRAS). The patients in the abdominal massage group received a total of 30 minutes of massage, 15 minutes every morning and evening, until the first defecation. The bowel sounds of all patients in the abdominal massage and control groups were assessed on a daily basis. The days when bowel sounds were heard and the first defecation took place were recorded in a Bowel Evacuation Form.
Results:
The risk of constipation was higher in the patients in the abdominal massage (CRAS score 19.02 ± 1.81) and control groups (CRAS score 20.45 ± 2.61). The time of return of bowel sounds and the time of the first defecation were earlier in the abdominal massage group, compared to the control group (P < .05). In the control group, there was a weak correlation (P = .004) between the CRAS score and the time of return of bowel sounds, while there was a moderate correlation between the CRAS score and the time of the first defecation (P < .001).
Conclusion:
Our study results show that the risk of constipation is high in NICU patients, and abdominal massage is an effective nursing intervention to shorten the time of return of bowel sounds and the time of the first defecation.
Relevance To Clinical Practice:
Nurses can safely apply abdominal massage to improve bowel evacuation in NICU patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
01:22Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management
01:25Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
01:25Assessment of the Abdomen I: Inspection and Auscultation
The abdominal examination is a cornerstone of clinical medicine, serving as a critical tool in diagnosing various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. It involves a systematic approach that includes inspection and auscultation, each with distinct yet complementary roles in assessing the abdomen. This article will delve into these two primary methods healthcare professionals use to examine the abdomen.
Inspection of the Abdomen
The first step in any abdominal examination is inspection....
01:22Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Bulk-Forming and Stimulant Laxatives
Bulk-forming laxatives, such as psyllium, methylcellulose, and polycarbophil, absorb water in the intestine, increasing stool bulk and promoting bowel movement. This...