Effect of Abdominal Massage on Abdominal Distension, Pain, Comfort, and Patient Satisfaction After Colonoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of abdominal massage on post-colonoscopy abdominal distension, pain, comfort, and patient satisfaction. Methods: The randomized controlled study was conducted with 166 patients who underwent colonoscopy without sedation. No intervention was applied to the control group (n= 83). The experimental group (n= 83) received an abdominal massage for 15 minutes on the day of colonoscopy (day 0), after the procedure, in the evening on day 0, and in the morning and evening on day 1. Abdominal distension, pain, comfort and satisfaction were assessed with Visual Analogue Scale. Results: In the experimental group, abdominal distension and pain level decreased and comfort level increased after abdominal massage compared to the pre-massage level (p