Effect of Abdominal Massage on Gastrointestinal Complications and Intra-Abdominal Pressure of Critical-Enteral-Feed Patients: A Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

Background: critically ill patient need a nursing practice that can enhance him to get all benefits of enteral feeding and overlapping the GI complications and maintain the intra-abdominal pressure.Objective: This work aimed to explore the effect of abdominal massage on gastrointestinal complications and intra-abdominal pressure of critical-enteral-feed patients. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was applied on 74 eligibly enteral-fed patients at Trauma and General ICUs. Of these, the trail was completed on sixty patients who distributed randomly to equal intervention and control groups. The manipulation was two times for 15mins of abdominal massage for five days. The effect was measured on enteral feeding complications (GRV, abdominal circumference and distention, vomiting) and intra-abdominal pressure as compared with control group who didn't receive the massage.Results: the GRV difference between the massage group and control group subjects was statistically significant (P<0.001) in the 3 rd , 4 th , and 5 th days indicating higher GRV among control group. The abdominal circumference between the five days was not significantly in the two groups. The difference between the two groups in relation to the distension was statistically significant (p < 0.05) in day 3, 4 and5. None of intervention patients were vomited along the study period (5days) in compared to 5% of control patients without statistical significant. Conclusions: The abdominal massage was significantly effective in lowering GRV, preventing distension and avoiding vomiting. Besides, the abdominal massage maintained the IAP without any statistical significant support. Therefore, it is recommended that this practice can be applied as a caring procedure in the daily ICU care program.