Acupressure for Constipation in the Elderly

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Constıpatıon
• Interventions: Other: Acupressure

• Registration Number: NCT05506397
• Lead Sponsor: TC Erciyes University

Brief Summary

This study was carried out to determine the effect of acupressure applied to LI4, CV12, ST25 and ST36 acupuncture points for a total of 21 minutes, three to each point, on the symptoms of constipation and quality of life of elderly individuals.

Detailed Description

The study is a qualitative and quantitative mixed method, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, pretest-posttest control group study. In this study; a total of 81 elderly individuals over the age of 65 and diagnosed with constipation in a family health center were included, 41 individuals in the acupressure group and 40 individuals in the placebo control group. Ethics committee approval, informed voluntary consent of the elderly and all other necessary permissions to conduct the study were obtained before the study.

The data of the study were collected using the Individual Identification Form, the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS), the Constipation Quality of Life Scale (PAC-QOL), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Individual Follow-up Form and the Semi-Structured Interview Form. Acupressure was applied to individuals in the acupressure group every day for 12 days, and placebo acupressure was applied to individuals in the placebo acupressure group at the same time and in line with the same protocol. In addition, individual in-depth interviews were conducted with the individuals in the acupressure group after the applications were completed.

Quantitative data were evaluated using the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows 24.0 package program. In the evaluation of quantitative data; Independent groups t test / Mann Whitney U test, dependent groups t-test, two-way mixed pattern ANOVA, multiple regression analysis (enter method) were used and p\<0.05 value was considered statistically significant. In the evaluation of qualitative data, descriptive and content analysis methods were used.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2021-02-24
• Primary Completion: 2021-06-30
• Study Completion: 2021-11-30
• Study First Submitted: 2022-07-23
• Status Verified: 2022-08
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-08-17
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-08-17
• Study First Posted: 2022-08-18
• Last Update Posted: 2022-08-18

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 81

Inclusion Criteria

• Aged 65 and over,
• Able to answer cognitive questions
• Able to do daily tasks unaided
• Experiencing two or more of the Rome IV criteria

Exclusion Criteria

• Communication and adaptation difficulties,
• Malignant, intestinal obstruction, fecal incontinence, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal infection, etc. have a contraindication to continue the intervention, addicted to bed
• Chronic pain requiring long-term analgesic intake and using psychiatric medication,

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
control group	Acupressure	Placebo acupressure was applied to the individuals in the placebo acupressure group in accordance with the same protocol.
Acupressure (intervention group)	Acupressure	Acupressure was applied to individuals in the acupressure group every day for 12 days.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS)	Change from Baseline symptoms of constipation at 12 days	It was used to evaluate the symptoms of constipation.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Defecation	Change from baseline number of defecations at 12 days	12-day total number of defecations
Constipation Quality of Life Scale (PAC-QOL)	Change from baseline constipation-related quality of life at 12 days	It was used to evaluate the quality of life.
Visual Analog Scale (VAS)	Change from baseline defecation comfort at 12 days	It was used to assess the level of defecation comfort.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Erciyes University; 🇹🇷 Kayseri, Kayseri̇, Turkey