Effect of Abdominal Massage on Palliative Care Patients

Constipation is defined as infrequent defecation or difficulty in evacuation. Although the constipation problem is mostly self-managed by the patients, 22% mostly refer to primary health care providers (\>50%), resulting in large expenditures for diagnostic tests and treatments. According to studies conducted in our country, the incidence of constipation varies between 22-40%, while it is stated that the prevalence of constipation in hospitalized patients is 79%. Annual medical costs due to constipation are estimated to exceed 230 million dollars. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods are used in the management of constipation, which is one of the most common symptoms in the hospital. The use of non-pharmacological methods is recommended due to the possibility of side effects and cost of pharmacological methods. However, the prevalence of use of non-pharmacological methods in the clinic is low. Nurses need to have knowledge about non-pharmacological methods in order to manage the problem of constipation, which is one of the most common symptoms in the hospital. Abdominal massage, which is included in the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC), is an application performed with manipulations such as pressure and rubbing on certain points on the body to reduce pain, provide relaxation and relaxation, prevent and reduce nausea, and prevent constipation.