EFFECTIVENESS OF ABDOMINAL MASSAGE IN REDUCING GASTRIC RESIDUAL VOLUME AMONG CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71146/kjmr973Keywords:
Abdominal massage, Gastric residual volume, Enteral nutrition, Feeding intolerance, Critical care nursing, Gastrointestinal motility, Gastric emptying, Intensive care unitAbstract
Gastric residual volume (GRV) is commonly monitored in critically ill patients receiving enteral nutrition to assess gastric emptying and feeding tolerance. Elevated GRV is associated with delayed gastric emptying, increased risk of aspiration, feeding intolerance, and inadequate nutritional delivery. Non-pharmacological interventions such as abdominal massage have gained attention as a simple and cost-effective strategy to improve gastrointestinal motility. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of abdominal massage in reducing gastric residual volume among enterally fed patients. A review of current evidence demonstrates that abdominal massage stimulates parasympathetic activity, enhances intestinal peristalsis, improves blood circulation to abdominal organs, and facilitates gastric emptying. Multiple clinical studies have reported significant reductions in GRV following structured abdominal massage interventions. The findings suggest that abdominal massage may serve as an effective complementary nursing intervention for improving feeding tolerance and gastrointestinal function in hospitalized patients receiving enteral nutrition.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Samina Khalil , REgidor III Poblete Dioso (Author)
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