Introduction: Constipation is defined as infrequent defecation or difficulty in evacuation.
Although the constipation problem is mostly self-managed by the patients, 22% mostly refer to
primary health care providers (>50%), resulting in large expenditures for diagnostic tests
and treatments. According to studies conducted in our country, the incidence of constipation
varies between 22-40%, while it is stated that the prevalence of constipation in hospitalized
patients is 79%. Annual medical costs due to constipation are estimated to exceed 230 million
dollars. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods are used in the management of
constipation, which is one of the most common symptoms in the hospital. The use of
non-pharmacological methods is recommended due to the possibility of side effects and cost of
pharmacological methods. However, the prevalence of use of non-pharmacological methods in the
clinic is low. Nurses need to have knowledge about non-pharmacological methods in order to
manage the problem of constipation, which is one of the most common symptoms in the hospital.
Abdominal massage, which is included in the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC), is an
application performed with manipulations such as pressure and rubbing on certain points on
the body to reduce pain, provide relaxation and relaxation, prevent and reduce nausea, and
prevent constipation.
Objective: This study was planned to examine the effect of abdominal massage on the
management of constipation in palliative care patients.
Method: The project will be carried out in a state hospital in Bartın, between 01.09.2021 and
01.09.2022, in the palliative care service, with patients over 18 years of age, without a
history of gastrointestinal cancer, history of abdominal surgery or abdominal hernia, and
hospitalized for at least 7 days. Palliative care patients hospitalized in Bartın State
Hospital in the last 1 year will form the universe. Sample calculation will be made with G
power analysis and the participants will be divided into experimental and control groups with
block randomization. The patients in the experimental group will be given abdominal massage
in the morning and evening every day for 1 week and the defecation status of the patients
will be compared. The data will be recorded in the data collection form prepared in line with
the literature. The data will be used in the patient identification form, Gastrointestinal
Symptom Rating Scale, Constipation Evaluation Scale, Bristol Stool Consistency Scale. The
collected data will be evaluated using the SPSS program.
Conclusion: With this project, the incidence of constipation in palliative patients will be
determined and the knowledge and skills of nursing students on how to apply abdominal
massage, which is one of the nursing practices, will increase. With their practice in this
study, they will play an active role in the management of constipation in palliative
patients, and they will be able to perform this practice in patients in various services
throughout their education and professional lives.
