Effectiveness of Squatting Position on Constipation Severity and Defecation Problems

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Constipation; Postoperative Care; Nursing Care
• Interventions: Other: Squatting position by footstool

• Registration Number: NCT05287789
• Lead Sponsor: Meltem Kaya

Brief Summary

One of the most common nursing care problems after surgery is defecation problems and the risk of constipation. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of the squatting position with footstool on the constipation severity and defecation problems in the postoperative period in patients with hernia surgery.

Detailed Description

In this study, after the surgical procedure, the patients were placed in a squatting position by placing a stool under their feet in the toilet.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2018-01-01
• Primary Completion: 2018-05-31
• Study Completion: 2018-05-31
• Study First Submitted: 2021-03-18
• Status Verified: 2022-03
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-03-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-03-10
• Study First Posted: 2022-03-18
• Last Update Posted: 2022-03-18

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 102

Inclusion Criteria

• Hernia surgery in the general surgery clinic
• Between 18 and 65 years of age
• BMI between normal and overweight (18.50-24,99 kg/m2: Normal,25-29,99 kg/m2: Overweight)
• Being able to establish verbal communication
• Volunteering to participate in the study
• Absence of mental confusion
• Having full consciousness and orientation
• Having no communication difficulties
• Having a constipation risk between moderate to high
• Using a water closet type toilet at home

Exclusion Criteria

• Having a low risk of constipation
• Patient who declined to participate in the study

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Squatting position by footstool	Squatting position by footstool	After the first postoperative ambulation, stable patients whose bowel movements resumed met their initial defecation needs with the squatting position created using a footstool at the appropriate height on the water closet type toilet. The patients used footstools in the hospital and throughout a week after discharge at home for defecation.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change from before surgery in The Constipation Severity Scale (CSS) average score	Data were collected before surgery, post-op 1st day, post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.	Constipation Severity Scale (CSS) aims to determine individuals' defecation frequency, intensity, and difficulty. The CSS consists of 16 items and three sub dimensions, namely Excrement Congestion, Large Bowel Laziness, and Pain. The lowest score that can be attained from the CSS is 0 while the highest score that can be attained is 73.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Stool consistency	Data were collected post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.	Bristol Stool Scale (BSS) is designed to classify the form of human faeces into seven categories. Types 1-2, hard; types 3-5, normal; types 6-7, loose/liquid
Difficulty pushing in defecation average score	Data were collected post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.	Average score on a scale from 0 to 4. 0 I did not experience any difficulties, 1 I had mild difficulties, 2 I had some difficulties, 3 I had a lot of difficulties, 4 I experienced extreme difficulties.
Defecation pain average score	Data were collected post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.	The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) consists of a 10 cm line used to evaluate defecation pain by scoring it between 1 and 10.
Duration of defecation, average minutes	Data were collected post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.	The time (minutes) the patient spent defecation.
Fear of pushing in defecation average score	Data were collected post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.	Average score on a scale from 0 to 4. 0 No Fear, 1 Slightly Scared, 2 Slightly Scared, 3 Very Afraid, 4 Extremely Too Afraid.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Karabuk University; 🇹🇷 Karabük, Turkey