Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07344532

Effect of Preoperative Abdominal Effleurage on Postoperative Constipation

This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effect of preoperative abdominal superficial effleurage training on the development of postoperative constipation in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group receiving abdominal superficial effleurage training in addition to routine care or to a control group receiving routine care only. The effleurage technique will be taught preoperatively and performed by patients postoperatively. Postoperative constipation will be assessed on the 10th postoperative day using the Bristol Stool Form Scale. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to non-pharmacological nursing interventions for the prevention of postoperative constipation.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Constipation Abdominal Surgery Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Postoperative Constipation Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Digestive

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Ege University

Izmir, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Postoperative constipation is a common complication following abdominal surgery and may negatively affect patient comfort, recovery, and quality of life. Non-pharmacological nursing interventions that support bowel motility are therefore of increasing interest in perioperative care. Abdominal superficial effleurage is a gentle massage technique applied to the abdominal surface and is thought to stimulate intestinal peristalsis and promote bowel function.

This prospective, randomized controlled study will be conducted with patients scheduled to undergo abdominal surgery. A total of 42 patients will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=21) or the control group (n=21) using a computer-generated randomization method. Patients in the intervention group will receive preoperative training on abdominal superficial effleurage in addition to routine clinical care, while patients in the control group will receive routine clinical care only. To minimize interaction between groups, data from the control group will be collected prior to the intervention group.

Abdominal superficial effleurage will be taught during the preoperative period and performed by patients postoperatively. The technique involves gentle stroking movements starting from the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and progressing toward the left lower quadrant. Each session will last approximately five minutes and will be performed one to three times daily during periods when the patient is not experiencing pain. Postoperative constipation will be evaluated on the 10th postoperative day through a telephone interview using the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Study data will be analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients scheduled to undergo abdominal surgery
  • Patients who are able to communicate verbally
  • Patients who agree to participate in the study and provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with preoperative constipation
  • Patients with known gastrointestinal diseases affecting bowel motility
  • Patients who are unable to perform abdominal superficial effleurage
  • Patients with cognitive impairment or communication difficulties
  • Patients who refuse to participate in the study

Treatment and study plan

Abdominal Superficial Effleurage Training

Behavioral

Abdominal superficial effleurage is a gentle abdominal massage technique involving stroking movements from the right upper quadrant toward the left lower quadrant of the abdomen. Participants will be trained preoperatively to perform the technique, which will take approximately five minutes per session and will be performed one to three times daily postoperatively during pain-free periods.

Primary outcomes

  1. Postoperative Constipation

    Time frame: 10 days postoperatively

    Postoperative constipation will be assessed using the Bristol Stool Form Scale through a telephone interview conducted on the 10th postoperative day. Stool types 1 and 2 will be considered indicative of constipation.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Stool Consistency

    Time frame: 10 days postoperatively

    Stool consistency will be evaluated using the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), a 7-point validated scale ranging from Type 1 (separate hard lumps, indicating severe constipation) to Type 7 (watery, no solid pieces, indicating severe diarrhea). Higher scores indicate looser stool consistency and a tendency toward diarrhea.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ege University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Preoperative Abdominal Superficial Effleurage Training on the Development of Postoperative Constipation in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jan 15, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 7, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.