Abdominal Massage to Relieve Constipation among Patients with Heart Failure: A Case Study

Background: Constipation among patients with heart failure can have a serious effect because Valsalva maneuver during
defecation process could increase heart workload and aggravate patient's condition. Therefore, appropriate treatment is needed to overcome the problem. One of the nurse's independent actions in constipation management is abdominal massage.
Objective: to relieve constipation among patients with heart failure
Methodology: This case study was conducted in a regional hospital located at the Eastern part of Indonesia during December 2017. Abdominal massage was given daily 2 hours after lunch was given as intervention. Five heart failure patients with constipation and hospitalized in cardiac ward were participated in this study. Constipation degree was measured by Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS) and feces consistency was determined by Bristol Stool Chart (BSC). Patients in this study were selected sequentially during December 2017.
Results: Constipation degree were decrease and feces consistency changed after intervention. Abdominal massage performed by directly pressing the abdominal wall in a sequence can increase gastrocolic reflex and contraction of the intestine and rectum.
Conclusions: Abdominal massage is effective in relieving constipation among heart failure patients. Therefore, we propose abdominal massage is integrated as regular nursing intervention given to heart failure patients with constipation.
Keywords: abdominal massage, heart failure, constipation, case-study