Title
The effect of abdominal massage on gastric residual volume: a randomized controlled trial

Author(s)
Uysal N, Eşer I, Akpinar H.

Published
May, 2012

Published In
Gastroenterol Nurs. 2012 Mar;35(2):117-23.

Abstract
This study is a randomized controlled trial aimed at determining the effects of abdominal massage on high gastric residual volume seen in patients intermittently fed with enteral nutrition through a nasogastric tube. The study also investigated consequent abdominal distension and vomiting complications. The study was carried out in a university hospital between January and December 2009. The sample included 40 intervention (abdominal massage) and 40 control subjects. Findings demonstrated that 2.5% of the subjects in the massage group and 30.0% of the subjects in the control group developed high gastric residual volume from enteral nutrition through a nasogastric tube. Abdominal circumference measurements of subjects on the first and last days demonstrated that 20% of the subjects in the control group and only 2.5% of the subjects in the massage group developed abdominal distension (p = .044). Vomiting was observed in 10% of the control subjects; no vomiting was observed in the intervention group. Findings suggest that nurses should apply abdominal massage to subjects receiving enteral feedings intermittently to prevent high gastric residual volume and abdominal distension.

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