A Quasi experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of foot massage in reducing pain among postoperative patients, undergone abdominal surgery in a selected hospital, Mangalore

Abstract

Background: Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. Management of postoperative pain relieves suffering and leads to earlier mobilization. Better post-operative pain management shortens hospital stay, reduces hospital costs and increases patient satisfaction. Foot massage have been really effective in passing the energy from these reflex points to the organs they are associated with. Though both the hands and feet are vital for performing massage, the focus is laid majorly on the feet.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of foot massage in reducing pain among postoperative patients, undergone abdominal surgery in a selected hospital

Method: After taking consent, a pre-test was conducted on 30 post-operative patients to assess the pain scale score using Numerical pain scale score. A Quasi experimental pre-test, Post test control group, experimental group design is chosen. Intervention Foot massage was given for 15 patients in experimental group.15 patients in control group just received analgesics. Post-test was conducted to assess the effectiveness of foot massage.

Results: Post-test post-operative pain score (5.2 ±1.4) was lower than the mean pre-test score (8.4±0.952). The calculated t value (t₁₄=10.267, p=<0.05) was greater than the table value (t₁₄=2.15) at 0.05 level of significance.

Conclusion:  The Foot massages are effective in reducing Post-operative pain in patients, who had abdominal surgeries.