J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2022 Feb;29(1):12-23. 10.7739/jkafn.2022.29.1.12.

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

• Jo WH
• Kim MS

• KMID: 2527162
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7739/jkafn.2022.29.1.12

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.

Keyword

Abdominal pain; Colonoscopy; Gastrointestinal motility; Massage; Meridians; 경락; 대장내시경; 마사지; 복부통증; 위장관 운동