The Effectiveness of Abdominal Massage on Improving Constipation in Nursing Home Residents

• Main Authors: Shu-Hsien Hu, 胡淑嫺
• Other Authors: Tsui-Hua Hsu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/19953545227511530293

碩士 === 長庚科技大學 === 護理研究所 === 101 === 【Objective】Constipation is a common health problem in long-term care facilities. Stool softener is the most common solution for treating the constipation problem. However, the results are sometimes undesirable and may increase the medical financial expenses. Some studies confirmed that abdominal massage could relieve constipation-related symptoms. However no such research was found in Taiwan. This study was investigated the effectiveness of abdominal massage on improving defecation and bowel movements in nursing home residents. 【Methods】This study was a quasi-experimental design that was credited by the Ethics Committee. All data was collected from a nursing home constipation residents of the southern Taiwan, included four observation periods: O1 observing for three days, O2 stopped stool softeners for three days, O3 provided abdominal massage 8-10 minutes twice per day for seven days, and O4 post-massage period without used softeners for three days. All collected data was tested via Repeated Measures ANOVA by SPSS18.0, alpha value was set to.05, and comparison within before, during and after. 【Results】The participants included 39 clear consciousness residents, with an average age of 74.54 years old. (46-96 years old). The age of≧65 years old was 74.3%, ADL 0-20 points (59.0%). Four periods of defecations and peristalsis average were significant difference (p = .022, p <.000), O3's daily average bowel movements was significantly higher than the other phases; the average defecation of O3 was more than O1 and O4, but no significant difference shown. The average peristalsis during the O3 stage was significantly more than the other three periods. However, the average number of O1 and O2, O1 and O4, and O2 and O4 peristalsis did not show the significant difference. Level of education, number of disease and stroke was significant differences in the group and time interaction. No substantial safety concerns were noted. 【Conclusion and Suggestion】The results indicated that abdominal massage can improve the defecation frequency, and there were no statistically significant differences from taking softeners. The defecation frequency in the O2 (after massage observation period) showed the same effect compaired to the O1. During the intervention period, the number of bowel movements was greater than in O1, O3, or O4. Peristalsis regardless medication, there are significant increasing effect. We suggest that physician can consider suggest provide the abdominal massage prior to the stool sofreners prescription.