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.