The effectiveness of abdominal massage for the relief of constipation for patients receiving palliative care

INTERVENTION: Abdominal Massage: The person who has been identified as being constipated and who has been allocated to the intervention group will be will be given (one only) 20 minute abdominal massage by a Registered Nurse qualified in massage therapy. Patients who fail to have their bowels open within a six hour period following abdominal massage, will receive usual care. CONDITION: constipation PRIMARY OUTCOME: Observation of time taken for bowels to open will be recorded. Stool consistency will be measured using the Bristol Stool Form Scale (Norgine Limited 2000) SECONDARY OUTCOME: Patient satisfaction will be assessed using a self developed 'Patient Satisfaction Survey'. This consists of a 14 point Likert Scale. INCLUSION CRITERIA: constipation