Constipation is a prevalent issue among postnatal women, often resulting in significant discomfort and reduced quality of life. Traditional treatments like dietary adjustments and laxatives frequently provide only temporary relief and may lead to dependency. Whole-body vibration therapy and abdominal binders have emerged as promising non-invasive interventions for improving bowel function and relieving constipation.
Constipation is a complex condition arising due to many interrelated causes. Dietary inadequacies, most notably for fiber or fluid, often constitute a centerpiece of constipation. But other lifestyle factors including lack of movement and irregular bowel movements are also to blame. Known conditions affecting the gut motility, from medical perspective, include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diabetes, hypothyroidism, and neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease. Often listed as a side effect in medications such as opiates, antacids and antidepressants for example. Additionally, gut brain axis demonstrates that psychological aspects play a substantial part in the well being of the gut, since stress and anxiety frequently make matters worse. It is important to understand the causes of constipation to develop treatments.It is usually described as occurring less than three times per week, difficult to pass stools or passage of stools that does not feel satisfactory. Whereas, acute constipation can be often attributed to alteration in diet and water intake or stress, the chronic constipation is a long-standing pathological entity which can negatively affect the quality of life. Whole body vibration therapy (WBV) is a therapeutic modality that utilizes mechanical vibrations to excite muscle, nerve and tissue structures in the body. WBV is typically administered on a vibrating platform where the device is either controlled to deliver vibrations at specified frequencies and amplitudes as the individual performs a standing, sitting, or lying position. The vibrations produce rapid, involuntary muscle contractions- and result in a similar exercising effect without the impact to your body. Abdominal binders are conventionally used for physical support but recent evidence supports their use in improving bowel function as increased abdominal muscle recruitment and intra-abdominal pressure, both integral to a healthy peristaltic push.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
(WBV) is a therapeutic modality that utilizes mechanical vibrations to excite muscle, nerve and tissue structures in the body. WBV was developed initially for fitness and physical rehabilitation and has been moving into other areas of healthcare such as pain management and neurological recovery and improving circulation.However, this activation can help to elevate intestinal motility, reduce bloating and help overall digestion.
Riphah International University
Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan
Patient assessment of constipation symptoms (PAC-SYM) Questionnaire It
It is frequently used in clinical trials of constipation. It is an important tool for assessing the severity of patient reported symptoms of constipation. The 12-item questionnaire is divided into three symptom sub scales: abdominal (four items); rectal (three items); and stool (five items). Items are scored on 5-point Likert scales, with scores ranging from 0 to 4 (0 = 'symptom absent', 1 = 'mild', 2 = 'moderate', 3 = 'severe' and 4 = 'very severe').
Time frame: A total of 18 sessions were conducted over a period of 6 weeks,
Patient assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QOL) Questionnaire
The PAC-QOL questionnaire is sub categorized to 4 items on physical discomfort, 8 items on psycho social discomfort, 5 items on treatment satisfaction, and finally 11 items on worries and discomfort. Response choice is a Likert scale from 0 to 4.
Time frame: A total of 18 sessions were conducted over a period of 6 weeks,
Modified constipation assessment scale (MCAS)
It is used to assess bowel function. It consists of a 3-point summated rating scale (0 = no problem ; 1 = some problem ; 2 = severe problem ) resulting in a total score that ranges from 0 ( no constipation ) to 16 ( severe constipation ).
Time frame: A total of 18 sessions were conducted over a period of 6 weeks,
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Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
54