Abstract:
The purpose of this quasi experimental research was to study the effect of symptom management program combined with foot reflexology on abdominal distention in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The symptom management theory of Dodd (2001) and reflexology concept were used as a conceptual framework. Patient aged 18 up years undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were recruited from the surgical ward, Suratthani Hospital. The experimental and control groups were matched by age, a mount of pain medication given during surgery, and time of surgery. The control group received the usual care while the experimental group received the usual care and the symptom management program combined with foot reflexology. The research instrument was symptom management program combined with foot reflexology, that comprised of three sessions: 1) Assessment of symptom of symptom experience of postoperative, 2) Symptom management strategies for postoperative, and 3) Symptom outcome of postoperative. The instrument for collecting data was the Abdominal Distention Scale. It was tested for reliability with Cronbachs alpha coefficient of 0.84 Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and Repeated measures ANOVA The result revealed that abdominal distention in patients receiving symptom management program combined with reflexology was significant lower than that the group receiving conventional nursing care at 4, 8 hours after the surgery day 1 and after the surgery day 2 (p<.05)