Birgitta Engström

Effects of abdominal massage in management of constipation—A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND Associated with decreases in quality of life, constipation is a relatively common problem. Abdominal massage appears to increase bowel function, but unlike laxatives with no negative side effects. Because earlier studies have methodological flaws and cannot provide recommendations, more research is needed. OBJECTIVE This study investigates the effects of abdominal massage on gastrointestinal functions and laxative intake in people who have constipation. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS AND METHOD A sample of 60 people with constipation was included and randomized in two groups. The intervention group received abdominal massage in addition to an earlier prescribed laxative and the control group received only laxatives according to earlier prescriptions. Gastrointestinal function was assessed with Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale (GSRS) on three occasions; at baseline, week 4 and week 8. The statistical methods included linear regression, Wilcoxon sign rank test, and Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULT Abdominal massage significantly decreased severity of gastrointestinal symptoms assessed with GSRS according to total score (p=.003), constipation syndrome (p=.013), and abdominal pain syndrome (p=.019). The intervention group also had significant increase of bowel movements compared to the control group (p=.016). There was no significant difference in the change of the amount of laxative intake after 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Abdominal massage decreased severity of gastrointestinal symptoms, especially constipation and abdominal pain syndrome, and increased bowel movements. The massage did not lead to decrease in laxative intake, a result that indicates that abdominal massage could be a complement to laxatives rather than a substitute.

Communication and decision-making in a study of a multidisciplinary team conference with the registered nurse as conference chairman

It was decided that the medical and nursing staff had to communicate verbally concerning the patients need for information and to make decisions concerning steps to be taken when satisfying the patients need for information. The aim of this study was, accordingly, to investigate if a training programme for registered nurses as chairperson of the multidisciplinary team conference (MTC) changed the communication and decision pattern during the neurological ward conference. The training material provided instructions and a scheme for the chairperson of the MTC. The training was carried through with the help of patient case reports and role play. Data were collected through tape recordings of the communication at ten MTCs before the training and ten MTCs after the training. The strictly medical communication was less illuminated, while the patients psychological needs, especially concerning the patients need for information, were better illuminated than before the training. After the training 42 information problems were reported and two before. For half of them, decisions were made on the steps to be taken in order to fulfil the patients need. For the other half, the discussion concerning the patients need for information was communicated between the staff. Only the decision-making was missed.

Vårdtyngdsmätning — Jämförelse och prövning av instrument för patientklassificering: Utvecklingsarbete på kirurgisk och medicinsk klinik

Biography Athlin E. Leg. siukskoterska, Vardlar, Dr Med Vet; Kirurgiska kliniken. Engstrom, B. Leg. sjukskoterska, Dr Med Vet., Neurologiska kliniken. Axelsson, K. Leg. sjukskoterska, Vardlar, Dr Med Vet., Institutionen for ornvardnadstorskning, Urnea universitet och Medicinska kliniken och Sandman. P. O. Leg. sjukskoterska, Dr Med Vet. Institutionen for ornvardnadstorskning, Umea universitet och Psykogeriatriska kliniken, Urnea Regionsjukhus.

Information till patienter efter operation för cancersjukdom

Patients who are operated upon for cancer tumour are anxious about the postoperative information and the result of the surgical procedure. This investigation was undertaken to study the routines for postoperative information in a department of surgical oncology. Thirtytwo patients operated for abdominal cancer (»cancer patients«) and 36 patients operated for inguinal hernia or gallstone disease («hernia patients») answered a questionnaire with 16 questions. Sixtynine percent replied. The need for postoperative information about the result of the operation was higher for the cancer patients than for the hernia patients. The cancer patients were given more attention by the doctors post-operatively and were given more opportunities to ask about the operation than the hernia patients. However, there was lack of privacy in the information situation and both groups were informed on the ward in presence of other patients.

Mätning av omvårdnadskvalitet - bearbetning och utprövning av Rush Medicus Process Instrument

Matning av omvardnadskvalitet - bearbetning och utprovning av Rush Medicus Process Instrument

En vårdfilosofi som utgångspunkt för förändringsarbete vid kirurgisk, medicinsk, neurologisk och psykogeriatrisk vård

En vardfilosofi som utgangspunkt for forandringsarbete vid kirurgisk, medicinsk, neurologisk och psykogeriatrisk vard