The aim of this study is to compare the effects of abdominal massage and kinesio taping on constipation severity, quality of life, bowel habits and perception of recovery in women with chronic constipation.
Constipation is not a disease but a subjective symptom characterized by inadequate defecation, the definition of which varies from person to person. It is known that abdominal massage, which is one of the physiotherapy approaches, reduces the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms and increases bowel movements. Kinesio taping applied for constipation can also increase bowel movement, increase the frequency of defecation and decrease the duration of defecation. However, there is a need for studies comparing the effects of these two different applications.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
Suggestions for lifestyle changes+ abdominal massage will be applied. Suggestions including regular and balanced diet, fluid consumption, regular walking and abdominal exercises and correct toilet habits will be given once. Abdominal massage will be applied 3 times a week for 4 weeks.
Suggestions including regular and balanced diet, fluid consumption, regular walking and abdominal exercises and correct toilet habits will be given once. Kinesio taping will be applied 3 times a week for 4 weeks.
Constipation severity
Constipation severity will be evaluated with Constipation Severity Scale. According to constipation severity scale, women's defecation frequency, intensity and difficulty/difficulty during defecation will be determined. The scale, which includes sixteen questions, consists of 3 sub-groups: obstructive defecation, colonic inertia and pain. The score that can be obtained from the obstructive defecation subgroup is 0-28, the score that can be obtained from the colonic inertia subgroup is 0-29, and the score that can be obtained from the pain subgroup is between 0-16. The lowest total score that can be obtained from the constipation severity scale is 0, and the highest is 73. As the score obtained from the scale increases, the severity of the symptoms increases.
Time frame: change from baseline at 4 weeks
Life quality
Life quality will be evaluated with Constipation Quality of Life Scale. It includes a total of 28 items in 4 subscales: worries and concerns (11 items), physical discomfort (4 items), psychosocial discomfort (8 items), and satisfaction (5 items). Item scores of the five-point Likert-type scale range from 1 to 5. The highest score that can be obtained from the scale is 140, and the lowest score is 28. It is stated that as the scores obtained from the scale increase, the quality of life may also be negatively affected.
Time frame: change from baseline at 4 weeks
Bowel habits
Bowel habits will be evaluated with 7-day bowel diary. This diary included items related to frequency of bowel movement, defecation time, feeling of incomplete evacuation, medication use, and changes in food and liquid consumption.
Time frame: change from baseline at 4 weeks
Stool consistency
Stool consistency will be assessed using Bristol Stool Scale on a 7-point scale (from 1 to 7) which is a quick and useful indicator of colonic transit time: type 1 = separate hard lumps, like nuts; 2 = sausage shaped but lumpy; 3 = like a sausage or snake, but with cracks on its surface; 4 = like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft; 5 = soft blobs with clear-cut edges; 6 = fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stool; and 7 = water, no solid pieces.
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Suggestions including regular and balanced diet, fluid consumption, regular walking and abdominal exercises and correct toilet habits will be given once.
Time frame: change from baseline at 4 weeks
Perception of recovery
Perception of recovery will be evaluated using a 4-point Likert-type scale. Accordingly, women will be asked to choose one of the statements as "worse, same, better or better" regarding the decrease in the severity of constipation when compared before and after treatment
Time frame: change from baseline at 4 weeks