The Effects of Rocking Chair Motion on Postoperative Ileus Duration, Subjective Pain and Time to Discharge Following Abdominal Surgery

Ileus is a lack of bowel function that can cause colic, vomiting, and/or constipation. Research has shown that bowel function slows down and possibly stops working for a short period of time after surgery, usually for 5-7 days. Patients report pain and discomfort from the gas that builds up in their bowel until the time the bowel begins working properly after surgery. During the period the bowel is not working after surgery, patients cannot leave the hospital until their physician is sure that their bowel function has returned. The return in bowel function is usually signaled by the passage of gas from the rectum.

The main method used to help the return of bowel function is to have patients get out of bed, sit in a chair, and begin walking the first day after surgery and increase the time sitting in the chair and walking every day. However, it is not clear that the sitting in a chair and walking are the best methods to assist in a faster return of bowel function.

One method that shows promise in helping the return of bowel function after abdominal surgery is rocking in a rocking chair. Rocking chair motion has demonstrated an earlier return of normal bowel function in mothers after C-Section and women after abdominal hysterectomy (Moore et al.,1995; Thomas et al., 1990). Rocking also has been used to decrease pain, the amount of pain medication needed, and the time spent in the hospital after abdominal surgery.

If you agree to take part in this study, you will be randomly assigned to one of two groups (Group A or B). Participants in Group A will use the rocking chair method. Participants in Group B will not use the rocking chair method. There is an equal chance of being assigned to either group.

Before you take part in this study, you will be asked to complete a survey about the amount of pain you are currently experiencing (the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form). It should take about 10 minutes to complete the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form. Completing the pain inventory before your surgery will allow for a better comparison of your pre and postoperative surgical and gas pain. You will be asked to provide some information such as your age and marital status that will be recorded on a coded data sheet. You will also receive an instruction sheet that describes what you need to do in order to participate in the study (Instruction to Subjects Sheet). The study investigator will also demonstrate to those chosen for the rocking group the correct method to rock in the rocking chair and allow them time to practice. He will also demonstrate the correct way to wear the gait belt with the pedometer attached to it.