The Effects of Abdominal Meridian Massage on Abdominal Distention, Pain, and Recovery of Bowel Motility after Sedated Colonoscopy

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of abdominal meridian massage on abdominal distention, abdominal pain, and bowel motility recovery after sedated colonoscopy.Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted from July 29, 2019 to September 10, 2019. Participants who underwent sedated colonoscopy at a general hospital in B city were assigned to experimental and control groups (n=27 each). The experimental group received abdominal meridian massage for 10 minutes at five acupoints (cheonchu, jungwan, gwanwon, gihae, daehoeng) post-colonoscopy. As outcomes, abdominal distention (subjective sensation of abdominal bloating and abdominal circumference), abdominal pain, and recovery of bowel movement (time of return of bowel sounds and passing gas post-colonoscopy) were measured. Data were analyzed using the independent t-test, x2 test, Fisher's exact test, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and repeated-measures ANCOVA using SPSS for Windows version 25.0.Results: Statistically significant between-group differences were found for subjective sensation of abdominal bloating (F=3.89, p<.024), abdominal circumference (F=11.05, p<.001), time of return of bowel sounds (x2=33.40, p<.001) and passing gas (x2=32.88, p<.001), but not abdominal pain.Conclusion: Abdominal meridian massage reduced abdominal distention and was effective for the early return of bowel function. Therefore, abdominal meridian massage can be used as a nursing intervention for relieving abdominal discomfort post-colonoscopy.