Massage was provided to the participants at a fixed
time of the day by the same massager on a bed in a special
quiet room where the temperature was between
23 C and 25 C (73.4F and 77F). Massage was applied
while the participants were lying in a supine position.
A cushion was placed under the subject’s knees
to keep the abdomen relaxed. Massage was applied on
the abdomen, on the region above the pubic symphysis
and above the umbilicus. The researcher had
washed and dried her hands and waited for them to
warm before applying the massage. The first researcher
, depending on the type of massage, poured
2 mL of lavender oil or liquid petrolatum into her
hands and applied the massage with clockwise circular
movements (effleurage). The researcher’s left hand
was placed on the right hand and both hands were
placed on the abdomen. Overpressure was not applied
on the abdominal region during massage. Each massage
session lasted 15 minutes. After the massage, the
participant’s abdomen was cleaned with a clean and
dry paper towel. The second researcher recorded
VAS scores.