Ear Massage Effect on Bowel Activity After Surgery

Launched by MERSIN UNIVERSITY · Mar 5, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating whether ear massage can help reduce constipation in patients who have undergone lower extremity surgeries, like hip or knee replacements. Constipation is a common issue for these patients, affecting a significant number of them after surgery. The idea is that by massaging specific points on the ear, we can stimulate the body's natural processes and improve bowel movements, making patients more comfortable during their recovery.

To participate in this study, you need to be between the ages of 18 and 65 and undergoing a lower extremity surgery. However, certain people won’t be eligible, such as those with specific gastrointestinal conditions, chronic constipation, or other health issues that could interfere with bowel function. If you qualify, you'll receive ear massages as part of your care after surgery, and the research team will monitor how this affects your bowel activity. This trial is not yet recruiting participants, but it's an exciting opportunity to explore a simple, non-drug approach to managing constipation after surgery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Not signing the Informed Volunteer Consent Form,
• • Under 18 years of age and over 65 years of age,
• • Unconscious or having problems with orientation,
• • Those who cannot speak Turkish and do not understand it,
• • undergoing surgical intervention at sites other than the lower extremities,
• • Physician-diagnosed chronic constipation or history of diseases that may affect intestinal peristalsis (inflammatory bowel disease, presence of abdominal tumor, surgical intervention or radiotherapy to the abdominal region, presence or suspicion of ileus, and pregnancy) and regular laxative users,
• • Enemas administered before surgical intervention,
• • Patients who have problems with the transition to oral feeding and who are unable to feed orally will be included in the study.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Not signing the Informed Volunteer Consent Form,
• • Under 18 years of age and over 65 years of age,
• • Unconscious or having problems with orientation,
• • Those who cannot speak Turkish and do not understand it,
• • undergoing surgical intervention at sites other than the lower extremities,
• • Physician-diagnosed chronic constipation or history of diseases that may affect intestinal peristalsis (inflammatory bowel disease, presence of abdominal tumor, surgical intervention or radiotherapy to the abdominal region, presence or suspicion of ileus, and pregnancy) and regular laxative users,
• • Enema administered before surgical intervention,
• • Patients who have problems with transition to oral feeding and who cannot be fed orally will not be included in the study.