Jurnal Kesehatan Komunitas Indonesia (JKKI) Volume 5 Issue 3. December 2025, pp 275-289 https://ebsina. id/journals/index. php/jkki eISSN 2503-2801, pISSN 2985-3435 Application of Finger-Hold Relaxation Technique on Postoperative Pain Intensity in Laparotomy Patients: A Case Study in dr. Moewardi General Hospital. Surakarta Auliasa Hanum Kayasa1*. Eska Dwi Prajayanti1. Isti Wulandari2 Aisyiyah University of Surakarta. Indonesia Moewardi Regional Public Hospital. Indonesia Article History Submitted: 28-06-2025 Revised: 29-10-2025 Accepted: 06-12-2025 org/10. 58545/jkki. Copyright . 2025 Auliasa Hanum Kayasa This is an open-access article under the CC-BY-SA License. Abstract Background: Effective postoperative pain management is essential to enhance recovery, reduce complications, and improve patient comfort following major abdominal surgery such as laparotomy. Nonpharmacological interventions offer safe adjuncts to conventional analgesia, particularly in resource-conscious or multimodal pain management settings. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the finger grip relaxation technique in reducing pain intensity among post-laparotomy patients. Methods: A descriptive case study was conducted with two female patients diagnosed with colon cancer who underwent elective laparotomy at Flamboyan 5 Ward. Dr. Moewardi General Hospital. Surakarta. Indonesia. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS. 0Ae. before and after the intervention. The finger grip relaxation technique, a simple, selfadministered method involving rhythmic gripping and releasing of the fingers, was applied once daily for three consecutive days, with each session lasting 20 minutes. Results: Both patients exhibited clinically meaningful reductions in pain intensity following the intervention. Patient AAos NRS score decreased from 4 to 2, and Patient SAos score declined from 6 to 3, indicating a shift from moderate to mild pain levels. No adverse effects were observed. Conclusion: The finger grip relaxation technique is a feasible, non-invasive, and low-cost adjunctive strategy for managing acute postoperative pain after laparotomy. These preliminary findings support the integration of this approach into multimodal pain management protocols. However, larger controlled trials are warranted to confirm efficacy, determine optimal dosing, and assess broader clinical Keywords: Postoperative pain. Laparotomy. Finger grip relaxation. Non-pharmacological intervention Correspondence Auliasa Hanum Kayasa. Faculty of Health Sciences. AoAisyiyah University of Surakarta. Jl. Ki Hajar Dewantara No. Jawa. Kec. Jebres. Kota Surakarta. Jawa Tengah 57146 Email: auliasahanum@gmail. How to cite: Kayasa. Prajyanti. , & Wulandari. Application of Finger-Hold Relaxation Technique on Postoperative Pain Intensity in Laparotomy Patients: A Study in Flamboyan 5 Ward. Dr. Moewardi Regional Public Hospital. Jurnal Kesehatan Komunitas Indonesia, 5. , 275-289. https://doi. org/10. 58545/jkki. BACKGROUND Laparotomy is one of the major surgical procedures, involving an incision through the abdominal wall to access abdominal organs affected by issues such as Kayasa et al. Jurnal Kesehatan Komunitas Indonesia (JKKI) Volume 5 Issue 3. December 2025, pp 275-289 https://ebsina. id/journals/index. php/jkki eISSN 2503-2801, pISSN 2985-3435 (Yuliana unit in January was 981 procedures. Laparotomy is performed when there are averaging 32 procedures per day. The severe health problems in the abdominal actual number of surgical procedures area, for example, acute appendicitis. Every conducted in the first quarter reached surgery can cause discomfort and trauma to 2,366 procedures . 15%) of the target set the patient, with pain being one of the most for the first quarter of 2,262 procedures common complaints reported by patients . %), indicating a positive deviation of (Nadianti & Minardo, 2. 15% . Moewardi General Hospital. According to the World Health After surgery, one of the experiences Organization . , the number of patients undergoing surgical procedures operative pain. shows a significant annual increase Pain is a condition that commonly It is estimated that 165 million occurs in every patient undergoing a surgical procedure (Hermawan & Rosyid, worldwide every year. In 2021, 234 million Pain following laparotomy is often patients underwent surgery in hospitals experienced at moderate or severe levels around the world. In Indonesia, the due to damage to the skin, muscle tissue, number of surgical procedures reached up and vascular structures, resulting in 2 million patients in 2021 (Ramadhan longer-lasting pain during recovery. Post- The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the inflammation and pain, which can limit number of laparotomy patients increases mobility (Kushariyadi & Pribadi, 2. annually by approximately 10%. In 2017, the pain experienced by post-laparotomy there were 90 million laparotomy patients patients is not adequately managed, it can worldwide, increasing to 98 million in lead to discomfort, inability to perform In Indonesia in 2018, laparotomy ranked fifth among surgeries, with 42% of restlessness or anxiety, decreased appetite, the total 1. 2 million surgical cases being pain sensations at the surgical wound site, laparotomies (KEMENKES, 2. affect the Data from medical records at dr. Moewardi General Hospital show that the system . apid breathin. , and the cardiovascular system (Nadianti & Minardo, 2. number of surgical procedures in the IBS Application of Finger-Hold Relaxation Technique on Postoperative Pain Intensity in Laparotomy Patients Jurnal Kesehatan Komunitas Indonesia (JKKI) Volume 5 Issue 3. December 2025, pp 275-289 https://ebsina. id/journals/index. php/jkki eISSN 2503-2801, pISSN 2985-3435 Inadequate and inaccurate pain deep breaths . can reduce and management after surgery can increase the heal physical and emotional tension. This risk of complications, thereby slowing technique warms the entry and exit points down the healing process (Hexendr et al. of energy along the meridians . nergy Pain management can be combined pathway. located in the fingers, thus providing spontaneous reflex stimulation during the grip (Larasati & Hidayati. This is supported by Rasyidah et al. Pharmacological medications such as analgesics. Analgesics . , may include opioid drugs like morphine administration of finger-hold relaxation sulfate, codeine sulfate, and methadone, or therapy for three days, once daily for 20 non-opioid analgesics such as aspirin. The results showed that 100% of acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti- respondents experienced a decrease in pain scale scores. (NSAID. Non- pharmacological therapy is used as an Based on preliminary observations adjunct to pharmacological therapy to conducted during clinical nursing practice reduce pain intensity through relaxation, in February 2025 at Flamboyan 5 Ward of Moewardi General Hospital. Surakarta, methods (Apriliani, 2. Finger-hold post-laparotomy relaxation techniques, also known as finger received pharmacological therapy in the grip relaxation, are one form of non- pharmacological therapy that can help pharmacological therapy such as deep reduce pain in post-laparotomy patients. breathing relaxation. Data collected on The purpose of this relaxation technique is February 11, 2025, revealed patient Mrs. to reduce pain, fear, and anxiety. with a pain score of 4, while data collected panic and worry. provide comfort to the on February 18, 2025, revealed patient Mrs. calm the mind. control emotions. S with a pain score of 6. Interviews with improve blood circulation (Hakim et al. post-laparotomy patients indicated that they were unaware of non-pharmacological Relaxation techniques are related to techniques to alleviate post-surgical pain. the fingers and energy flow within the Therefore, the author is interested in Gripping the fingers while taking conducting "the application of finger-hold Kayasa et al. Jurnal Kesehatan Komunitas Indonesia (JKKI) Volume 5 Issue 3. December 2025, pp 275-289 https://ebsina. id/journals/index. php/jkki eISSN 2503-2801, pISSN 2985-3435 relaxation techniques to reduce pain The application of finger-gripping intensity in post-laparotomy patients at relaxation therapy to reduce pain was Flamboyan 5 Ward of dr. Moewardi conducted on two patients who had General Hospital. Surakarta. undergone laparotomy surgery in Room Flamboyan 5 at dr. Moewardi General Hospital. Surakarta. METHODS The method used in this application Patient 1 underwent an assessment is a case study method. The case study on February 11, 2025. The patient. Mrs. serves as the main focus of the author's aged 50 years, had been diagnosed with exploration regarding nursing care issues colon cancer. Her primary complaint was related to acute pain in post-laparotomy pain in the post-operative wound area. She surgery patients who have undergone underwent stoma repair, and her physical finger-hold relaxation therapy in Room Flamboyan 5 at dr. Moewardi General conscious with vital signs recorded as Hospital. Surakarta. follows: blood pressure 125/86 mmHg, body temperature 37. 3AC, pulse rate 98 application are post-operative patients in beats per minute, oxygen saturation Room Flamboyan 5 at dr. Moewardi (SpOCC) at 99%, respiratory rate 22 breaths General This per minute. Pain assessment revealed that application will involve two patients with Mrs. A experienced pain at the surgical the Inclusion criteria refer to general wound site. the pain occurred when characteristics of the research population moving and was described as sharp, that are accessible. The inclusion criteria centered at the surgical scar, with a pain scale rating of 4 and characterized by experiencing pain after laparotomy surgery intermittent episodes. Based on these in Room Flamboyan 5 at dr. Moewardi findings, the identified nursing diagnosis General Hospital. Surakarta, and patients for Mrs. A was acute pain related to with mild or moderate pain following physical injury agents. The Hospital. Surakarta. laparotomy surgery. Exclusion criteria Patient 2 underwent an assessment include patients suffering from mental on February 16, 2025. The patient. Mrs. aged 53 years, had also been diagnosed with colon cancer. Her primary complaint was pain at the post-operative wound area. Application of Finger-Hold Relaxation Technique on Postoperative Pain Intensity in Laparotomy Patients Jurnal Kesehatan Komunitas Indonesia (JKKI) Volume 5 Issue 3. December 2025, pp 275-289 https://ebsina. id/journals/index. php/jkki eISSN 2503-2801, pISSN 2985-3435 Physical examination showed she was fully complaints, past medical history, family conscious with vital signs recorded as health history, physical examinations, vital follows: blood pressure 136/95 mmHg, body temperature 36. 8AC, pulse rate 105 before and after applying the finger-hold beats per minute. SpOCC at 99%, respiratory presentations were used to record the Pain Tabular progression and comparison of pain levels experienced pain at the surgical wound experienced by both respondents before site, which occurred when moving and was and after undergoing the finger-hold described as sharp, centered at the surgical relaxation technique. Mrs. scar, with a pain scale rating of 6 and Ethical considerations were taken characterized by intermittent episodes. into account during the research process. Based on these findings, the identified including informed consent, anonymity, nursing diagnosis for Mrs. S was also acute confidentiality, veracity, and justice. These pain related to physical injury agents. understood the purpose and implications included interviews, observations, and of the research, their identities remained documentation studies. Interviews were confidential, all information provided was conducted to gather information about the kept private, they were given honest patients' complaints, medical history, explanations about the research, and fair family health history, lifestyle patterns, and treatment was extended to all parties any ongoing treatments. Observations The focused on the patientsAo general condition. The implementation of the finger- hold relaxation technique aimed to reduce Documentation studies involved reviewing pain intensity was carried out over several medical records, laboratory results, and days, focusing on two respondents. The therapies received by the patients to results demonstrated varying degrees of complete the collected data. pain reduction among the participants. Data processing included narrative Before the intervention, both respondents descriptions and tabular presentations. reported moderate pain levels, which Narrative descriptions provided textual decreased to mild pain levels after explanations of the primary data collected, undergoing the finger-hold relaxation such as patient demographics, main Comparisons between the two Kayasa et al. Jurnal Kesehatan Komunitas Indonesia (JKKI) Volume 5 Issue 3. December 2025, pp 275-289 https://ebsina. id/journals/index. php/jkki eISSN 2503-2801, pISSN 2985-3435 respondents showed individual differences rooms . ooms 501, 503, 505, . , while PP in pain perception and response to the II manages even-numbered rooms . ooms intervention, highlighting the subjective 502, 504, 506, . nature of pain experience. This implementation is a descriptive effectiveness of finger-holding relaxation RESULTS The research was conducted in Room therapy in reducing pain levels in post- Flamboyan 5 at dr. Moewardi General laparotomy patients in Flamboyan 5 Ward Hospital. Surakarta. Flamboyan 5 Ward is Surakarta. The sample consisted of 2 installation that provides respondents diagnosed with the same inpatient services for surgical cases and condition in Flamboyan 5 Ward at dr. Moewardi General Hospital. Surakarta. Flamboyan Moewardi departments when those units are full. The Flamboyan 5 Ward consists of 8 rooms with 4 beds in each room. It is divided into General Hospital. PP I and PP II. PP I manages odd-numbered Table 1. Pain scale of post-laparotomy patients before receiving finger-hold relaxation therapy in Flamboyan 5 Ward at dr. Moewardi General Hospital. Surakarta Name Mrs. Mrs. Date February 11, 2025 February 16, 2025 Pain Scale Pain Intensity Moderate Moderate Based on the table 1, the results of the relaxation therapy showed moderate pain intensity at levels 4 and 6. post-laparotomy patients before undergoing finger-hold Table 2. Pain scale of post-laparotomy patients after receiving finger-hold relaxation therapy in Flamboyan 5 Ward at dr. Moewardi General Hospital. Surakarta Name Mrs. Mrs. Date February 13, 2025 February 18, 2025 Pain Intensity Mild Mild Based on the table 2, the results of the finger-hold relaxation therapy indicated that the patients reported no pain, with laparotomy patients after undergoing Pain Scale mild pain scales at levels 2 and 3. Application of Finger-Hold Relaxation Technique on Postoperative Pain Intensity in Laparotomy Patients Jurnal Kesehatan Komunitas Indonesia (JKKI) Volume 5 Issue 3. December 2025, pp 275-289 https://ebsina. id/journals/index. php/jkki eISSN 2503-2801, pISSN 2985-3435 Table 3. Development of pain scale in laparotomy patients after receiving finger-hold relaxation therapy in Flamboyan 5 Ward at dr. Moewardi General Hospital. Surakarta Name Day of Implementation Mrs. Mrs. Based Date Before After February 11, 2025 February 12, 2025 February 13, 2025 February 16, 2025 February 17, 2025 February 18, 2025 4 (Moderat. 4 (Moderat. 3 (Mil. 6 (Moderat. 5 (Moderat. 4 (Moderat. 3 (Mil. 3 (Mil. 2 (Mil. 4 (Moderat. 4 (Moderat. 3 (Mil. and 6, and after the intervention, they respondents were initially categorized experienced a reduction in pain intensity under moderate pain intensity at levels 4 to levels 2 and 3, classified as mild. Table 4. Comparison between the two respondents after implementing finger-hold relaxation technique to reduce pain intensity in post-laparotomy patients in Flamboyan 5 Ward at dr. Moewardi General Hospital. Surakarta Name Mrs. Pain Scale Before Pain Scale After Mrs. Notes Pain level reduced from scale 4 to 2 Pain level reduced from scale 6 to 3 Based on the table 4, it shows that The pain assessment results of both both respondents experienced different respondents showed that they were levels of pain. Mrs. A had a pain level of 4 experiencing moderate pain intensity before the intervention, which decreased to before undergoing finger-hold relaxation 2 after the intervention. Whereas Mrs. The pain intensity of Mrs. A was had a pain level of 6 before the intervention, at pain scale level 4, while Mrs. S was at which decreased to 3 after the intervention. The researcher assumed that the pain level of post-laparotomy patients was DISCUSSION mostly at moderate intensity, and the Before implementing the finger-hold difference in pain scale levels between the relaxation technique to reduce pain two patients was due to individual intensity in post-laparotomy patients in differences in pain tolerance. This aligns Flamboyan 5 Ward at dr. Moewardi with Arif et al. , who stated that General Hospital. Surakarta post-laparotomy pain varies in response Kayasa et al. Jurnal Kesehatan Komunitas Indonesia (JKKI) Volume 5 Issue 3. December 2025, pp 275-289 https://ebsina. id/journals/index. php/jkki eISSN 2503-2801, pISSN 2985-3435 and sensation, making it impossible to technique that can reduce pain in patients generalize across individuals, as only the experiencing post-operative wound pain. person experiencing it can explain how the Non-pharmacological pain feels. This is also consistent with reduce pain includes pain management Rasyidah et al. , who noted that using aromatherapy, breathing technique factors influencing an individual's pain threshold are usually related to past management, position adjustment, warm compresses, music therapy, distraction, and relaxation (Alahtiar et al. , 2. One moderate or mild pain subsequently. Laparotomy form of relaxation that can be used to reduce pain is finger-hold relaxation. surgery to address issues in the abdominal area using techniques that involve opening After implementing the finger-hold the peritoneum or incision techniques relaxation technique to reduce pain performed in the abdominal area (Sandra et intensity in post-laparotomy patients in Flamboyan 5 Ward at dr. Moewardi Post-laparotomy discomfort experienced after undergoing General Hospital. Surakarta The research results showed that the opening the abdominal cavity. This pain is caused by surgical wounds and tissue experienced a decrease after applying the damage that occurs during the operation. finger-hold relaxation technique. Mrs. After post-laparotomy procedures, several experienced a reduction from pain scale issues may arise, including bleeding, level 4 to level 2. While Mrs. S experienced seroma/hematoma, a reduction from pain scale level 6 to level wound dehiscence, necrosis, incisional Finger-hold relaxation is a very simple hernia, numbness on the skin, fistulation and easy relaxation technique that anyone with underlying structures, increased can perform. It is associated with the intra-abdominal compartment pressure, fingers and the flow of energy within our and pain (Rajaretnam et al. , 2. The finger-hold technique is also Treatment for post-laparotomy pain known as finger hold. The finger-hold includes pharmacological therapy with relaxation technique is a method used to non-pharmacological alleviate or reduce post-surgical pain Non-pharmacological therapy is a intensity (Alahtiar et al. , 2. Many Application of Finger-Hold Relaxation Technique on Postoperative Pain Intensity in Laparotomy Patients Jurnal Kesehatan Komunitas Indonesia (JKKI) Volume 5 Issue 3. December 2025, pp 275-289 https://ebsina. id/journals/index. php/jkki eISSN 2503-2801, pISSN 2985-3435 factors influence pain response, such as electricity to the brain. The wave is age, gender, previous pain experiences, received by anxiety, culture, placebo effect, coping processed, then sent to the nerves of the patterns, family, and social support affected body organ, thereby clearing (Nadianti & Minardo, 2. blockages in the energy pathway. The the brain and Finger-hold relaxation therapy can finger-hold relaxation procedure will reduce pain intensity in post-laparotomy generate impulses transmitted through This is consistent with Rosiska's non-nociceptive afferent nerve fibers. research, which found that more These non-nociceptive afferent nerve fibers than half of the respondents . %) cause the "gate" to close, blocking the pain experienced mild pain and a small portion stimulus and reducing it. %) experienced moderate pain after finger-hold Development implementing the finger-hold relaxation The decrease in pain intensity after technique to reduce pain intensity in applying finger-hold relaxation therapy post-laparotomy patients in Flamboyan focuses the patient on the movements 5 Ward at dr. Moewardi General performed, thus distracting them from the Hospital. Surakarta pain they are experiencing. As stated by The development of respondents Alahtiar et al. , holding one's fingers after undergoing finger-hold relaxation while taking slow breaths . can therapy showed differences. For Mrs. A, on reduce physical and emotional tension the first day before the intervention, the because the finger grip warms up the pain scale was recorded at 4 and decreased points where energy enters and exits along On the second day, the result before the meridians . nergy channel. located in the intervention was 4 and decreased to 3. our fingers. These reflex points will provide On the third day, the result before the spontaneous stimulation during the grip. intervention was recorded at 3 and Along our fingers, there are channels or decreased to 2. For Mrs. S, on the first day meridians of energy connected to various before the intervention, the pain scale was organs and emotions. Reflex points on the recorded at 6 and decreased to 4. On the hands provide reflexive . This intervention was recorded at 5 and stimulation sends a kind of shock wave or decreased to 4. On the third day, the result Kayasa et al. Jurnal Kesehatan Komunitas Indonesia (JKKI) Volume 5 Issue 3. December 2025, pp 275-289 https://ebsina. id/journals/index. php/jkki eISSN 2503-2801, pISSN 2985-3435 before the intervention was recorded at 4 finger-hold and decreased to 3 after the intervention. effective in reducing post-operative pain. Both respondents experienced a decrease and the relaxation technique also enables in pain scale, which was caused by patients to control themselves when receiving non-pharmacological therapy experiencing discomfort or pain, physical stress, and emotional pain (Rosiska, 2. This finger-hold individual's pain perception and response Comparison This is supported by Indrawati & respondents after implementing the Arham . , who demonstrated that pain finger-hold relaxation technique to scale assessments differ among individuals reduce pain intensity in post-laparotomy even when given the same stimulation. patients in Flamboyan 5 dr. Moewardi The decrease in pain intensity for age, gender. General Hospital. Surakarta each patient varied daily. Pain is influenced The implementation results obtained past pain from both respondents showed a decrease socio-cultural in pain scale between before and after the religious values, environment, and close The pain level experienced by This aligns with Rasyidah et al. the respondents differed. Mrs. A had a pain . , who found that factors affecting an individual's pain threshold are usually indicating moderate pain, which decreased to 2 after the intervention, indicating mild accustomed to experiencing pain will have Meanwhile. Mrs. S experienced moderate pain at scale 6 before the On the third day of finger-hold intervention, which decreased to scale 3 after the intervention. relaxation, both patients experienced a The pain levels of patients Mrs. A and reduction in pain intensity, where the Mrs. S differed due to variations in the patients reported a decrease in pain at assessments obtained. Patient Mrs. scales 2 and 3 with mild pain intensity. underwent a laparotomy procedure one Finger-hold relaxation proved to be more year ago, whereas patient Mrs. S had not effective as a combined therapy with undergone a laparotomy procedure. This analgesic therapy compared to using aligns with Rasyidah et al. , who analgesic therapy alone to reduce pain. The noted that factors affecting an individual's Application of Finger-Hold Relaxation Technique on Postoperative Pain Intensity in Laparotomy Patients Jurnal Kesehatan Komunitas Indonesia (JKKI) Volume 5 Issue 3. December 2025, pp 275-289 https://ebsina. id/journals/index. php/jkki eISSN 2503-2801, pISSN 2985-3435 pain threshold are usually linked to past Additionally, when comparing the two respondents, it was observed that both experiencing pain will have subsequent experienced a reduction in pain levels after moderate or mild pain experiences. Pain undergoing the intervention, although perception is subjective, so no two people individual differences in pain perception experience exactly the same pain. influenced the extent of the effect. In addition to being influenced by For the community suggests that the past experiences, the difference in pain finger-hold relaxation technique can serve levels between Mrs. A and Mrs. S could also be influenced by the psychological factors therapy for managing postoperative pain of each respondent. Yani et al. following laparotomy. non-pharmacological stated that psychological and emotional factors play a role in pain assessment. Some AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS The mechanisms in dealing with pain, while conceptualization, data collection and others feel more anxious or stressed, which analysis Auliasa Hanum Kayasa. Eska Dwi can affect their perception of pain. Prajayanti. Isti Wulandari. Writing and manuscript revisions: Auliasa Hanum Kayasa. CONCLUSION Based on the analysis and discussion that has been presented, it can be ACKNOWLEDGMENT concluded that the application of finger- The author want to thank you for hold relaxation techniques effectively respondents in dr. Moewardi General reduces pain intensity in post-laparotomy Hospital. Surakarta who contribute as Before the intervention, both participants in this research. patients reported moderate pain levels, but after the implementation of the finger-hold noticeable decrease in pain intensity. CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest in this research. shifting from moderate to mild. Daily progress showed consistent improvement with each session, indicating that the Kayasa et al. Jurnal Kesehatan Komunitas Indonesia (JKKI) Volume 5 Issue 3. December 2025, pp 275-289 https://ebsina. id/journals/index. php/jkki eISSN 2503-2801, pISSN 2985-3435 DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Kombinasi Terapi Aurikular The data are available from the Akupunktur Terhadap Skala Nyeri corresponding author upon reasonable Haid Pada Kasus Dysmenorrhea Mahasiswa Dan Jurusan Terapi Akupunktur Wicara Poltekkes REFERENCES