Abdominal Massage in Enteral Nutrition Patients

Complications related to the gastrointestinal system may arise in patients receiving enteral nutrition through continuous and bolus infusion. These complications include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, increased gastric residual volume, and abdominal pain. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of abdominal massage applied to patients receiving enteral nutrition through continuous or bolus infusion on gastrointestinal system functions. For this purpose, 164 patients meeting the inclusion criteria will be randomized, and four groups will be defined. Half will constitute the experimental group, and the others will form the control group. In our study, the effects of massage on symptom control will be evaluated by comparing symptoms in patients receiving both forms of nutrition. Thus, the evaluation and control of medical conditions (symptoms) such as constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, increased abdominal distension, and increased gastric residual volume are targeted.