Wang, T., Wang, H., Yang, T., Jane, S., Huang, T., Wang, C., & Lin, Y. (2015). The effect of abdominal massage in reducing malignant ascites symptoms. Research in Nursing and Health, 38, 51–59.
To evaluate the effect of abdominal massage on reducing ascites, pain, and other ascites-related symptoms
Gentle abdominal massage consisting of straight rubbing, point rubbing, and kneading was provided by a trained nurse practitioner (NP) for 15 minutes, twice a day (7–8 am and 4–5 pm) for three consecutive days. Control participants received social attention by the same NP who delivered the massage. The NP followed a script during the interaction exploring the patient’s feelings and thoughts and providing information about treatment. Symptoms and body weight were measured in the morning for four successive days (pre- to post-test).
Randomized, controlled trial using repeated measures
There was no significant change in pain, tiredness, nausea, drowsiness, poor appetite, shortness of breath, mobility limitation, or body weight among patients who received massage. The intervention group did experience a significant improvement in depression (p = 0.003), anxiety (p = 0.002), poor well-being (p = 0.001), and perceived abdominal bloating (p < 0.001). These symptoms improved gradually over time for the intervention group, but slightly increased over time for the control group. No massage-related adverse events occurred.
Abdominal massage did not improve pain in this study; however, this may be related to the low level of pain among patients at baseline. Massage improved depression, anxiety, well-being, and perceived abdominal bloating. Additional study is needed with larger groups of patients with malignant abdominal ascites.
This non-invasive, inexpensive intervention was not effective in reducing pain for patients with abdominal ascites, but it may provide relief for other symptoms such as abdominal bloating, depression, anxiety, and poor well-being. After additional study, if this intervention is proved to be appropriate for pain management, nurses will need training on proper massage techniques.