Evaluation of the effect of proximal massage and palm fisting in reducing the risk of peripheral venous catheter-related phlebitis: randomized control study

Abstract Aims Peripheral venous catheter (PVC) is a clinical procedure often performed by nurses in hospitals. Phlebitis can be prevented with more nursing care by applying PVC by trained nurses and using preventive methods. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of proximal massage and palm fisting on the prevention of phlebitis in patients with a PVC. Methods and results This randomized controlled study was conducted with patients who were hospitalized in the orthopaedics and traumatology service of a state hospital and had PVC. While the study group (n = 36) received proximal massage and palm fisting on the side with a PVC, the control group (n = 36) received standard care for PVC. The data were collected by using the ‘Patient Demographics and Clinical Information Form’, ‘Peripheral Venous Catheter-Related Phlebitis Risk Scale’, and ‘Visual Infusion Phlebitis Assessment Scale’. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding phlebitis development based on age, sex, chronic disease status, PVC insertion site, devices in the PVC, or fluids administered from the PVC. However, there was a significantly higher risk of PVC-induced phlebitis in patients who received proximal massage and palm fisting at 48 and 96 h, when the severity of phlebitis was evaluated on daily basis. Conclusion The study showed promising results, suggesting that proximal massage and palm fisting may be a simple and inexpensive technique to prevent the occurrence of phlebitis in PVC patients. Registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05714137