The primary purpose of this study is to investigate whether the consumption of a probiotic drink (with Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota (LcS)) relieves constipation-related symptoms of Filipino adults, specifically its effect on stool consistency, frequency, and duration, and on gastrointestinal discomfort.
The goal of this clinical trial is to test if probiotic drink with LcS consumption can improve constipation-related symptoms. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: * Will a probiotic drink with LcS improve stool consistency after four weeks? * Will a probiotic drink with LcS improve stool frequency and duration after four weeks? * Will a probiotic drink with LcS improve gastrointestinal discomfort after four weeks? Participants will consume probiotic drink with LcS once a day for four weeks while maintaining their usual physical activity. Researchers will compare the control group and the probiotic group to see if there are differences in stool consistency, frequency and duration, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
Probiotic drink with LcS will be consumed once per day for four weeks
Brochure containing recommendations to improve constipation will be provided at end of study.
University of Santo Tomas
Manila, Manila, Philippines
RECRUITINGChange in stool consistency
Bristol Stool Consistency Score: Type 1: Separate hard lumps, like nuts (hard to pass); Severe Constipation. Type 2: Sausage-shaped, but lumpy; Mild Constipation. Type 3: Like a sausage, but with cracks on its surface; Normal. Type 4: Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft; Normal. Type 5: Soft blobs with clear-cut edges (passed easily); Borderline Normal. Type 6: Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stool; Mild diarrhea. Type 7: Watery, no solid pieces, entirely liquid; Severe diarrhea.
Time frame: Four weeks
Change in the Frequency of Bowel Movement
Frequency of Bowel Movement- recorded as the number of bowel movements per day and reported as the daily average bowel movement in a week
Time frame: four weeks
Change in the Duration of Bowel Movement
Duration of Bowel movement will be recorded in minutes in the lavatory per bowel movement per day and reported as the daily average minutes in a week.
Time frame: Four weeks
Change in the Gastrointestinal Well-being (Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms)
This includes measures of abdominal discomfort and pain, painful bowel movement, bloating, a sense of incomplete bowel movement, straining during bowel movement, and unsuccessful bowel movement using a five-point scale (PAC-SYM).
Time frame: four weeks
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