Footstool in Alleviating Symptoms of Evacuation Disorder

N/AActive Not RecruitingNCT07709078

Ohio State University50 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this research study is to compare the use of footstools of 2 different heights in patients with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction such as straining excessively during bowel movements and a sense of incomplete emptying. We are testing these footstools to see if using a footstool can improve these symptoms. Participants who enroll will be randomly assigned to either a 7 or 9 inch footstool. They will use the footstool for 8 weeks. During this time they will complete some online surveys about their bowel symptoms.

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a very common problem. The prevalence of this problem is estimated to be about 16 per 100,000 person years. In one study, 52% of patients with delayed gastric emptying and symptoms of nausea and vomiting had an evacuation disorder. In this condition, there is either impaired relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles or weakness of the pelvic floor muscles. This combined usually with impaired ability to sense presence of and quantity of stool and gas in the rectum leads to difficulty evacuating stool and gas. Characteristically, these patients have difficulty emptying stool even when its soft and pasty. Some of them can only feel empty when their stools are watery. However, diarrhea comes with its inherent risks of accidental bowel leakage. The management of pelvic floor disorders is primarily pelvic floor biofeedback therapy. The purpose is to correct the abnormal physiology to help improve emptying. Additional therapies include use of stimulant suppositories and enemas and use of foot stool. The premise behind use of a foot stool is that is helps relax the pelvic floor muscle. While there are several companies making footstools, there is surprisingly very sparse literature supporting their use. The purpose of this research study is to investigate whether using a footstool could improve bowel symptoms in patients who experience symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. Participants who are eligible and enroll will complete a 2 week baseline bowel diary followed by an 8 week period during which they will be asked to use a footstool provided to them. They will be randomly assigned either to a 7 or a 9 inch footstool. During this period they will also complete surveys about their bowel symptoms.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

Conditions

Pelvic Floor Dysfunc Chronic Constipation

Interventions

7 inch Footstool for bowel movementsDEVICE

Use of a toilet footstool during defecation for 8 weeks. Participants in this group received a 7-inch footstool designed to elevate the feet and modify toileting posture to facilitate bowel evacuation. The intervention was performed during routine bowel movements at home.

9 inch Footstool for bowel movementsDEVICE

Use of a toilet footstool during defecation for 8 weeks. Participants in this arm received a 9-inch footstool designed to elevate the feet and modify toileting posture to facilitate bowel evacuation. The intervention was performed during routine bowel movements at home.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: Age 18 years or older Able to understand, read, and write English Evidence of pelvic floor dysfunction based on at least one of the following: Symptoms of excessive straining during bowel movements, feeling of incomplete evacuation, or need for digital evacuation of stool more than 25% of the time Abnormal anorectal manometry Abnormal balloon expulsion test Abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) defecography or barium defecography Exclusion Criteria: Any physical, mental, or emotional condition that, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, may pose a safety concern or interfere with study participation Prior use of a toilet footstool for defecation Currently pregnant, based on self-reported pregnancy status during screening Active cancer Current opioid use

Locations (1)

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Average Weekly Complete Spontaneous Bowel Movements (CSBMs)

The change in average weekly number of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) from baseline to Week 8 will be compared between participants randomized to the 7-inch footstool and participants randomized to the 9-inch footstool. A CSBM is defined as a spontaneous bowel movement associated with a self-reported sense of complete bowel evacuation, as recorded in the daily bowel diary. Baseline values will be calculated from the 2-week pre-intervention period.

Time frame: 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Change in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Severity Score

Change in symptom severity from baseline to Week 8 as measured by the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS). The IBS-SSS is a patient-reported outcome measure ranging from 0 to 500 points, with higher scores indicating more severe IBS symptoms (worse outcome) and lower scores indicating improvement in symptom severity.

Time frame: 8 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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