Abdominal Massage and Kegel Exercises on Constipation and Quality of Life in Female Students

Launched by ONDOKUZ MAYIS UNIVERSITY · Feb 26, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how different exercises, specifically abdominal massage and Kegel exercises, can help improve constipation and the overall quality of life for female students. The researchers will include 140 female students who experience functional constipation, which means they have difficulty with bowel movements, and will divide them into four groups: one group will do Kegel exercises, another will do abdominal massages, a third will do both, and the last group will not receive any intervention (control group). The study will take place from March 15, 2024, to May 31, 2024, and will assess participants' bowel habits and quality of life before and after the exercise programs.

To be eligible for this trial, participants should be female students aged 18 years and older who experience certain signs of constipation, such as straining during bowel movements or having hard stools. However, those with specific health issues, such as heart disease, previous bowel surgeries, or other serious medical conditions, will not be included. Participants can expect to engage in their assigned exercises and complete questionnaires about their bowel habits and quality of life at the beginning and end of the study. This research aims to find out if these simple exercises can make a difference in managing constipation and improving daily life for students.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Must include two or more of the following:
• • Straining during more than ¼ (25%) of defecations
• • Lumpy or hard stools (Bristol Stool Form Scale 1-2) more than ¼ (25%) of defecations
• • Sensation of incomplete evacuation of more than ¼ (25%) of defecations
• • Sensation of anorectal obstruction/blockage of more than ¼ (25%) of defecations
• • Manual maneuvers to facilitate more than ¼ (25%) of defecations (e.g., digital evacuation, support of the pelvic floor)
• • Less than 3 defecations per week
• • Loose stools are rarely present without the use of laxatives
• • Insufficient criteria for irritable bowel syndrome
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • the study included patients with intra-abdominal infection
• • advanced heart disease
• • previous bowel surgery
• • cancer diagnosis
• • irritable bowel syndrome
• • any intestinal problem, metabolic, endocrine, and neurological constipation, current or past smoker
• • congenital megacolon, pseudo-obstruction, and anorectal disorder
• • any mental, psychological, and physical disorder any medication,
• • fecal and urinary incontinence,
• • pregnant
• • do not volunteer to participate in the research will not be included.