Clinical trial NCT07018414: Abdominal Massage for Gastric Residual Volume in Surgical Patients
Official title: The Effect of Abdominal Massage on Gastric Residual Volume and Abdominal Distension in Surgical Intensive Care Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Gastric Residual Volume
Abdominal Distension
Enteral Nutrition
Massage Therapy
Keywords: Enteral Nutrition
Gastric Emptying
Abdominal Distension
Intensive Care Units, Surgical
Postoperative Care
Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
Critical Illness
Massage Therapy
Lead sponsor: Marmara University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-06-12
Enrollment: 84
Sex: ALL
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: This study utilized a parallel assignment model, in which participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (receiving abdominal massage) or the control group (receiving standard care) in a 1:1 ratio. Each participant received only one type of intervention throughout the study period. The intervention was applied twice daily for 20 minutes over three consecutive days.
Primary purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Brief summary: This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of abdominal massage on gastric residual volume (GRV) and abdominal distension in surgical intensive care patients receiving enteral nutrition. The intervention group received 20-minute abdominal massage sessions twice daily for 3 consecutive days. Outcomes included changes in GRV, abdominal circumference, feeding volume, and gastrointestinal tolerance parameters.

Detailed description: Gastric residual volume (GRV) monitoring is commonly used in critically ill patients receiving enteral nutrition to assess gastrointestinal dysfunction, although current guidelines present conflicting recommendations regarding its necessity. Abdominal distension is a frequent complication during enteral feeding in surgical ICU patients. Non-pharmacological interventions such as abdominal massage have shown promise in improving gastrointestinal motility and enteral tolerance.

This study included 84 surgical ICU patients who met the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to intervention (n=42) and control (n=42) groups. The intervention group received abdominal massage twice daily for 20 minutes over three days. Data were collected using standardized forms and analyzed with appropriate statistical tests including independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U, repeated measures ANOVA, and chi-square tests. The findings suggest that abdominal massage may help stabilize GRV levels, reduce abdominal circumference, and increase nutritional intake without increasing complications.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18 years
* Receiving enteral nutrition via nasogastric tube
* No prior abdominal surgery
* No invasive devices (e.g., drains, catheters) in the abdominal area

Exclusion Criteria:

* Receiving enteral nutrition via PEG or PEJ
* Receiving only parenteral nutrition
* History of abdominal surgery

Primary outcomes:
measure: Amount of gastric residual volume (mL)
timeFrame: Day 3
measure: Change in abdominal circumference
timeFrame: Day 3
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Amount of enteral feeding (mL/day)
timeFrame: Day 3
measure: Assessment of abdominal distension
timeFrame: Day 3
measure: Interruption of enteral nutrition
timeFrame: Day 3
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Istanbul
country: Turkey
facility: Seyrantepe Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Surgical Intensive Care Units
state: İ̇stanbul
Study officials:
References: