ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HAND AND FOOT MASSAGE IN REDUCING POSTOPERATIVE PAIN AMONG ABDOMINAL SURGERY PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction: Pain is a common sequel of surgery and massage has been advocated as effective and easy technique that can be applied independently by nurses to patients in postoperative period to relive pain intensity. It involves a simple technique, costs little and requires no special equipment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of foot and hand massage reducing pain in postoperative patients. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of foot and hand massage in reducing post operative pain. Methods: An experimental design with Simple random sampling was adopted to conduct the study with 30 samples were selected as control group and 30 samples in experimental group. Foot and Hand massage was given for 20 minutes in the experimental group, control group has a regular treatment and pain score was assessed by numerical rating scale before and after intervention. Data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: Experimental group the pre test mean is 29.47 and SD 5.56, the post test mean is

17.92 and SD 3.39. The t test revealed that foot and hand massage was found to be effective in reducing pain among post operative patients undergoing abdominal surgery at the level of ^*P<0.05. Conclusion: The findings of the present study revealed that the foot and hand massage is reducing post operative pain among patient undergoing abdominal surgery. However, we need further studies with larger samples to investigate the effect of foot and hand massage in reducing pain.