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Do the Symptoms of Chronic Constipation Improve With a Primary Care Programme Based on Behavioural Re-education and Abdominal Massage?

Not Applicable
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Constipation Chronic Idiopathic
Interventions
Other: change of habits + auto abdominal massage
Behavioral: change of habits
Registration Number
NCT06359249
Lead Sponsor
Fundacio d'Investigacio en Atencio Primaria Jordi Gol i Gurina
Brief Summary

Constipation is one of the most common digestive problems in today's society. In Spain, it is estimated that this condition affects between 12% and 20% of the population, being more frequent in women, contributing considerably to the quality of life, to the increase of medical visits and to high costs for the health system. The objectives of the study are to reduce the rate of constipation and laxative use in the short term with a structured rehabilitation programme consisting of abdominal massage therapy and behavioural re-education, to improve the quality of life of these patients, and to assess whether the proposed treatment is effective in the short and medium term.

Detailed Description

Background: Constipation is one of the most common digestive problems in today's society. In Spain, it is estimated that this condition affects between 12% and 20% of the population, being more frequent in women, contributing considerably to the quality of life, to the increase of medical visits and to high costs for the health system. The objectives of the study are to reduce the rate of constipation and laxative use in the short term with a structured rehabilitation programme consisting of abdominal massage therapy and behavioural re-education, to improve the quality of life of these patients, and to assess whether the proposed treatment is effective in the short and medium term.

Method: Randomised clinical trial. Participants: people with constipation in the region of L'Anoia, Catalonia. There will be 3 groups: the control group (CG), behavioural intervention group (BIG) and behavioural intervention and massage group (BIMG). Constipation will be assessed with the Bristol scale, Rome IV Criteria and the number of laxatives; and quality of life with the CVE-20 Questionnaire.

Participants will be proposed from Primary Care Centres in the region of L'Anoia, Catalonia, Spain.

Inclusion criteria:

* Having been diagnosed with primary constipation using Rome IV Criteria(11), of more than three months' duration.

* Understanding Catalan, Spanish or English.

Exclusion criteria:

* Having constipation secondary to neurogenic, metabolic, endocrine or postoperative diseases.

* Having constipation secondary to medication for other pathologies, the medication list for which can be found in the annex.

* Having any type of open abdominal and/or anal wound, such as a recent abdominal scar or anal fissure.

* Meeting any absolute contraindication criteria for the use of abdominal massage therapy, such as an unstable fracture requiring absolute rest and immobilisation, pregnancy or active oncological procedures.

* Suffering from some type of cognitive, psychiatric or neurological alteration that does not allow to understand the project.

Discussion: Research is needed on conservative, non-pharmacological treatment to try to reduce one of the main conditions affecting public health, and thus reduce the possible illnesses associated with constipation and reduce costs to the health system.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
45
Inclusion Criteria
  • Having been diagnosed with primary constipation using Rome IV Criteria(11), of more than three months' duration.
  • Understanding Catalan, Spanish or English.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Having constipation secondary to neurogenic, metabolic, endocrine or postoperative diseases.

    • Having constipation secondary to medication for other pathologies, the medication list for which can be found in the annex.
    • Having any type of open abdominal and/or anal wound, such as a recent abdominal scar or anal fissure.
    • Meeting any absolute contraindication criteria for the use of abdominal massage therapy, such as an unstable fracture requiring absolute rest and immobilisation, pregnancy or active oncological procedures.
    • Suffering from some type of cognitive, psychiatric or neurological alteration that does not allow to understand the project.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
behavioural intervention and massage groupchange of habits + auto abdominal massageConductual and abdominal massage treatment
behavioural intervention groupchange of habitsConductual treatment
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Stool characteristicsDay 0, Month 3, Month 6

Stool characteristics with the Bristol Scale

The number of laxatives taken by each participantMonth 3, Month 6

The number of laxatives taken by each participant with an accounting schedule.

Degree of constipationDay 0, Month 3, Month 6

Degree of constipation with Rome IV Criteria

Quality of life focused on patients with constipationDay 0, Month 3, Month 6

Quality of life focused on patients with constipation with the CVE-20 questionnaire from an emotional, physical and social viewpoint.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Other patient characteristics such as sex, age, previous conditions, and level of physical activity with the VREM questionnaire.Day 0, Month 3, Month 6

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Cristina Segura Bayona

🇪🇸

Igualada, Barcelona, Spain

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