Foot Reflexology and Abdominal Massage (experimental)

Karadeniz Technical University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Constipation

Treatments: Other: foot reflexology; Other: abdominal massage

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06875349

2015-KAEK-80-23-30

Details and patient eligibility

About

to determine and compare the effects of foot reflexology and abdominal massage applied to elderly individuals on constipation

Full description

This randomized controlled study examined the effects of foot reflexology and abdominal massage on constipation in 90 elderly individuals from three nursing homes. Participants were divided into three groups: reflexology, abdominal massage, and control. The intervention groups received eight sessions over three weeks, while the control group received no treatment.

Enrollment: 90 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Being 65 years or older Having no movement restrictions Not using pharmacological laxatives Being diagnosed with constipation according to the ROMA IV criteria Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

Individuals having a condition that prevents cognitive, affective and verbal communication Having a disorder related to the nervous system and circulatory system Having an injection applied to the abdominal region during the application process Having a systematic disorder related to the GIS (diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, fecal impaction, incontinence, etc.) Having physiological and structural disorders that may prevent evacuation in the anus region (rectal fissure, etc.) Having any negativity in the sensory function examination test performed with a sharp-blunt hard object on the sole of the foot and abdomen Having any physiological and structural disorders related to the foot/sole of the foot

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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90 participants in 3 patient groups

Group 1: Foot Reflexology

Experimental group

Description:

In the experimental group-1, foot reflexology interventions were applied every three days, with each session lasting 30 minutes, for a total of eight sessions.

Treatment:

Other: foot reflexology

Group 2: Abdominal Massage

Experimental group

Description:

In the experimental group-2, abdominal massage interventions were applied every three days, with each session lasting 30 minutes, for a total of eight sessions.

Treatment:

Other: abdominal massage

Group 3: Control

No Intervention group

Description:

The elderly individuals in the control group did not receive any intervention and were only monitored.