Enteral Nutrition and Abdominal Massage

Introduction: Many multiple and challenging problems are encountered in patients followed in intensive care. The most important of these symptoms is nutritional problems. One of the most commonly used methods in the treatment of nutritional problems is enteral nutrition. In addition to its beneficial results, gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal distension, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting may be encountered in enteral fed individuals in intensive care units. Although different methods are used in the management of complications that may develop in enterally fed patients, abdominal massage, which is one of the non-invasive nursing practices, has been shown to reduce feeding intolerance and balance blood glucose levels.

Purpose: This study will be conducted to determine the effect of abominal massage applied to intensive care patients who are continuously fed enterally and have diabetes, on feeding intolerance and blood sugar levels.

Method: This study will be conducted using a randomized controlled research design. The research sample will consist of 64 patients hospitalized in the intensive care units of a state hospital in Merzifon and who meet the inclusion criteria. Research data will be collected using the clinical status information form, patient parameters monitoring form, and Bristol stool scale. Patients in the massage group will receive an abdominal massage twice a day for 5 days, between 10.00 in the morning and 22.00 in the evening. For the control group, routine treatment and care practices in the hospital will continue without any additional intervention for these 5 days, and the same data will be evaluated at the same time.

Conclusion: It is thought that abdominal massage applied to intensive care patients with diabetes who are continuously fed enterally will reduce feeding intolerance and affect blood sugar levels.

Inclusion criteria

The age of 18 years and over

Diagnosed with diabetes mellitus

Having just started continuous enteral feeding via nasogastric tube

Glasgow coma scale >3

Patients who do not have a wound in the abdominal area

Patients without current diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, abdominal distension

Patients who gave their consent to participate in the research

Exclusion criteria

Patients who had started enteral feeding before starting the study

Patients who received radiotherapy to the abdominal area

Abdominal surgery within the last three months

Patients with ileus

Patients using medications that affect gastrointestinal motility