Nursing Heat Therapy After Cholecystectomy

NCT07417319 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: ADU Nursing Faculty
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 82
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Postoperative Pain Management

Keywords

Nursing interventions; Non-pharmacological pain management

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• 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.

Study Arms (1)

Local Heat Therapy Group

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Interventions

Local Heat Application OTHER

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.

Local Heat Therapy Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 90 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

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

You may not qualify if:

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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Aydin Adnan Menderes University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Nursing

Aydin, Efeler, 09100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: single-blind randomized controlled trial

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 4, 2026
• First Posted: February 18, 2026
• Study Start: February 3, 2025
• Primary Completion: October 1, 2025
• Study Completion: February 1, 2026
• Last Updated: February 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)