Effectiveness of Electromagnetic Field Therapy in Chronic Constipation

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Constipation; Electrotherapy

• Registration Number: NCT06578442
• Lead Sponsor: Medipol University

Brief Summary

The aim of the study is to examine the effects of magnetic field therapy on individuals with chronic constipation. 40 individuals with chronic constipation between the ages of 18-68 who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Participants were divided into two groups: treatment group (n=20) and control group (n=2O). The control group was given "constipation coping training" and asked to perform the taught methods every day for 8 weeks. Whether the individuals applied the methods was checked via telehabilitation. Participants in the treatment group received magnetic field therapy twice a week for 8 weeks. Participants were evaluated with the Constipation Severity Scale, Constipation Quality of Life Scale and International Physical Activity Questionnaire before and after the treatment.

Magnetic field therapy provides improvement in sub-parameters such as difficulty in defecation, slowing down of colon movements, and pain due to constipation. It has provided an increase in the quality of life due to constipation. Magnetic field therapy can be applied as an alternative treatment method for the treatment of individuals with chronic constipation problems.

Detailed Description

This study was carried out in the laboratory of Istanbul Medipol University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation department on participants between February 2019 and January 2020 and were diagnosed with chronic constipation.

This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of human experimentation specified in the Declaration of Helsinki and with ethics committee approval. Informed consent forms were obtained from the participants.

52 participants were included in our study. The study was completed with 40 participants. Evaluations were made twice, before and after treatment. Magnetic field treatmentwas applied to the participants for 30 minutes a day, twice a week, for 8 weeks, using an electromagnetic field therapy device, in a supine position, by placing circular magnetic field treatment electrodes in the abdominal area, at a power of 25 Hz and 30 Gauss. Participants were informed about the things to consider in magnetic field treatment. To determine the effectiveness of the treatment, evaluations were made before and after the treatment using the Constipation Severity Scale, Constipation Quality of Life Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Magnetic field therapy provided improvement in subparameters such as difficulty in defecation, slowing of colon movements, pain due to constipation and increased quality of life due to constipation.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-02-01
• Primary Completion: 2020-01-01
• Study Completion: 2020-01-31
• Study First Submitted: 2024-03-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-08-27
• Study First Posted: 2024-08-29
• Status Verified: 2025-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-05-17
• Last Update Posted: 2025-05-21

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Presence of chronic constipation according to Rome III criteria
• Ages of 18-68
• Indicate magnetotherapy treatment,
• Not having used any medication for constipation during the treatment
• Fully cooperative

Exclusion Criteria

• Severely obese patients
• Electrical implants in their body
• First trimester of pregnancy
• Implanted inner ear implants
• Small implants that may be affected by the magnetic field
• Epilepsy
• Untreated hypertoid
• High fever

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Constipation Severity Scale (CSS)	Four weeks	It is a scale that reveals the symptoms of constipation in people. It makes an evaluation to determine the problems experienced by individuals in defecation. The scale includes 16 questions. The lowest total score that can be obtained from the scale is 0 and the highest is 73. A high score indicates that the symptoms are serious.
Constipation Quality of Life Scale	Four weeks	It is a self-rating scale consisting of worry/anxiety, physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort and satisfaction subscales. Item scores of the Likert-type scale vary between 1-5. The highest score that can be obtained from the scale is 140 and the lowest score is 28. A high score indicates poor quality of life.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
International Physical Activity Survey-Short Form (IPAQ-SF)	Four weeks	Physical activities performed for at least 10 minutes at a time are evaluated. Made in the last 7 days; Vigorous physical activities and their duration (football, basketball, aerobics, fast cycling, etc.), moderate physical activities and their duration (light load carrying, cycling at normal speed, folk dances, etc.), walking and one-day sitting times are questioned and noted. All activities performed are converted to MET and the total physical activity score (MET×min×week) is calculated. According to the total physical activity score, participants' physical activity levels are classified as "low, medium and high".

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Istanbul Medipol University; 🇹🇷 Istanbul, Beykoz, Turkey