Sham feeding as a nursing technology: Recent progress and future perspective

Abstract Sham feeding is a conventional technique employed in enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols to facilitate the restoration of gastrointestinal motility. Currently, the effectiveness of sham feeding extends beyond the postoperative phase after abdominal surgery, demonstrating potential applicability in nonabdominal postoperative rehabilitation. Studies have shown that sham feeding triggers the head-vagal reflex, thereby promoting gastrointestinal motility through a combination of humoral and neural stimulation. Recognized as a highly promising ERAS technology, sham feeding needs to be further investigated regarding the form, mechanism, and application of sham feeding. This paper summarized the research progress and limitations of sham feeding. Considering contemporary research focus on the gut-brain axis, we proposed a new concept of sham feeding that integrates visual, auditory, and olfactory stimuli. In addition, we provide suggestions and perspectives to guide future exploration of sham feeding for its potential impact on the development of non-drug nursing intervention technology based on the concept of ERAS.