The Effect of Abdominal Massage on Gastrointestinal Outcomes Among Critically Ill Patients Receiving Enteral Feeding

Enteral feeding has a vital role in the care of critically ill patients. It is considered a routine patients care in intensive care units. Enteral feeding is also a medical treatment as well as a part of nursing care. It is the preferred route of nutritional support in patients who are incapable of volitional intake. Additionally, it helps to stimulate peristaltic movements of the digestive system, improves blood supply, strengthens the immune system, improves recovery, and reduces physiological stress.

There are many complications associated with enteral feeding that can lead to an interruption of the feeding process, including gastrointestinal disorders, mechanical problems, fluid-electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic complications. Feeding intolerance is the most main digestive complication including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excess gastric residual volume, abdominal distention, and constipation.

Aspiration is also a significant side effect of delayed gastric emptying and increased GRV among CIPs. The Society of Critical Care Medicine and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition has recognized aspiration as one of the mutual complications of enteral feeding that should be evaluated before and during the feeding process. Consequently, prolonged ICU stays, and increased duration of mechanical ventilation, and mortality rate are side effects of feeding intolerance and aspiration. Additionally, abdominal massage is one of the complementary and alternative medicine which is significantly grown in recent years. Furthermore, it is an inexpensive, non-invasive intervention, and free from harmful side effects. Besides, it can increase the number of intestinal movements and lead to easier food movement along the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, it allows contraction of the diaphragm more fully, increases the capacity of the lung, and strengthens breathing.