The effect of massage on vital finding, pain and comfort level in patients after liver transplantation

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of massage on vital finding, pain and comfort level in patients after liver transplantation. Material Method: The study was conducted in half test model with pretest and posttest control group. The population of the study consisted of adult patients who have undergone liver transplantation for the first time in the Turgut Özal Medical Center Liver Transplant Hospital. The sample of the study consisted of 84 patients (42 patients in the experimental group and 42 patients in the control group) determined by using the power analysis and selected by using random sampling method from this population. The data were collected between May-September 2016 by using the Questionnaire Form, SF-MPQ and GCS. A total of 2 times back massage was provided one day in morning and evening by the researcher at organ transplantation service to the patients in the experiment group. No intervention was applied to the patients in the control group. Number,percentage, mean, chi-square, dependent - independent samples t test were used to analyze the data. Results: In the morning and evening follow-ups after liver transplantation; the lower rates were determined on heart beat, respiration, severity of pain, and comfort levels on the experimental group in all measurement (after and before back massage) and that the level of sPO2 was increased and there were significant differences in experimental and control groups that be in experimental gruops' favor (p=0.000). This study showed that back massage in liver transplantation patients were effective in postoperative pain severity and comfort levels. Conclusion: The back massage applied to the patient with liver transplantation affects the vital findings of positively, reduces the severity of pain and increases the comfort levels of the patients. Keywords: Liver Transplantation, Back massage, Pain, Comfort Levels, Vital Findings