The effect of machine-based and manually applied hand massage on pain, anxiety and gastrointestinal system functions after laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery

In the period after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, effective management of pain, anxiety and gastrointestinal system functions is important, as is the case after every surgical procedure. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods are used for this purpose. In this study, the effects of manual and machine-based hand massage on pain, anxiety and gastrointestinal system functions after laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery were examined. This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with 171 patients hospitalized in the General Surgery service of Bartın State Hospital. In the study, patients were divided into three groups: manual hand massage (n=57), machine-based hand massage (n=57) group, and a control group (n=57). The data was collected between 01.09.2022 - 01.06.2023. Descriptive statistical methods, Kolmogorov-Simirnov test, chi-square test and One-way ANOVA test, Cohran's Q test and repeated measures analysis of variance were used to evaluate the data. Significance was accepted as p<0.05. In the study, the pain intensity of the patients decreased statistically significantly more in the manual hand massage group than in the control group immediately after the massage (at hour 0) (p<0.05). The decrease in pain intensity after manual massage was greater than that of machine-based hand massage (p<0.05). The anxiety level of patients in the two intervention groups was lower than that of the patients in the control group in the first hour (0th hour), 4th hour and 8th hour after surgery (p<0.001). The severity of nausea was lower at the 8th hour in both groups receiving hand massage compared to the control group (p<0.05). The average number of bowel sounds in the patients in the manual hand massage group was higher at 0th hour and 4th hour than in the control group (p<0.05). The average number of bowel sounds at the 8th hour in the intervention groups increased significantly more than the control group (p<0.001). The frequency of first flatulence at the 8th hour was statistically significantly higher in patients in the manual and machine-based hand massage groups than in the control group (p<0.05). Hand massage was not effective in preventing vomiting and achieving first defecation (p>0.05). The research showed that manual and machine-based hand massage in patients who had laparoscopic cholecystectomy had a positive effect on the patients' state anxiety and pain intensity levels, nausea complaints and bowel sounds, compared to the control group. Additionally, the study showed that manual hand massage was more effective than machine-based hand massage in reducing pain severity and increasing bowel sounds. In addition to pharmacological methods to increase bowel movements and to manage pain, anxiety and nausea after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, hand massage may be recommended to be applied in clinics by trained nurses.