Nursing Heat Therapy After Cholecystectomy (nursing)

Effects Of Nursing-Led Local Heat Application To The Feet On Postoperative Pain And Abdominal Distension After Cholecystectomy: A Randomised Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effect of local heat application to the feet on postoperative pain and abdominal distension in patients undergoing open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either a local heat application group or a control group. In the intervention group, heat will be applied to the feet using a hot-water bottle for 15 minutes at hourly intervals during the first four postoperative hours. Pain and abdominal distension will be assessed using validated scales, and gastrointestinal recovery indicators such as time to first flatus and defecation will be recorded. The study is designed to determine whether this simple, nurse-led, non-pharmacological intervention may improve postoperative comfort and recovery.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Postoperative Pain Management
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Local Heat Application

Detailed Description

Gallstone disease is a common health problem worldwide and represents a substantial clinical and economic burden. Cholecystectomy is among the most frequently performed abdominal surgical procedures, and postoperative symptoms such as pain and abdominal distension may delay mobilization, impair comfort, and prolong recovery. Postoperative ileus, characterized by temporary impairment of gastrointestinal motility, abdominal distension, and delayed passage of flatus or stool, is frequently observed following abdominal surgery.

Pharmacological analgesia, particularly opioid-based regimens, remains the standard approach for postoperative pain management; however, these medications may contribute to gastrointestinal dysmotility and delayed recovery. Therefore, non-pharmacological and nurse-led interventions are increasingly considered as complementary strategies to enhance patient outcomes and comfort. Approaches such as early mobilization, education, and sensory or physical modalities have been suggested to support recovery.

Local heat therapy is a simple, low-cost nursing intervention that may promote pain relief and physiological recovery through mechanisms including increased local circulation, muscle relaxation, and modulation of nociceptive pathways. Distal thermal applications, such as foot-based heat therapy, may influence autonomic regulation and gastrointestinal activity; however, evidence in patients undergoing cholecystectomy remains limited.

This study is designed as a single-blind randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of foot-based local heat application on postoperative pain, abdominal distension, and gastrointestinal recovery outcomes. Findings are expected to contribute to the evidence base for safe and feasible nursing interventions in postoperative care.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 82
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Efeler
    • Aydin, Efeler, Turkey (Türkiye), 09100
      • Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Nursing

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy,
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification of I-II.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Had any neurological or psychiatric disorders,
• Conditions that could interfere with heat perception,
• Contraindications to foot heat application,

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: Local Heat Therapy Group; Participants received local heat application to both feet using warm compresses/hot packs at 40-42°C for 15-20 minutes twice daily during the first 48 hours postoperatively in addition to standard nursing care and early mobilization. Postoperative pain intensity and abdominal distension were assessed at predetermined time points using validated measurement scales.

Other: Local Heat Application; Local heat was applied to both feet using warm hot packs at approximately 40-42°C. The application lasted 15-20 minutes and was administered twice daily for the first 48 hours postoperatively in addition to standard nursing care and early mobilization.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Abdominal Distension	Abdominal distension measured using the Abdominal Distension Scale (0-3) at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively.	At 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively
Acute Postoperative Pain	Postoperative pain intensity measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS, 0-10) at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively.	6, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Aydin Adnan Menderes University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 3, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): February 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 4, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 10, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 18, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 18, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 10, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Nursing interventions; Non-pharmacological pain management
• Other Study ID Numbers: ADU Nursing Faculty

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared due to patient confidentiality and institutional ethical restrictions.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No