Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Mobile Application in the Treatment of Children With Functional Constipation

Functional constipation is a common pediatric disorder that significantly affects the quality of life of children and their families. Despite the availability of evidence-based guidelines such as the Rome IV criteria and the ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN (European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition/ North American Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition recommendations, treatment adherence remains a major challenge, often leading to suboptimal outcomes and chronic symptoms.

This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial investigates the efficacy of a mobile health application designed to support the treatment of functional constipation in children. The study is conducted among children aged 4 to 18 years who meet the Rome IV diagnostic criteria for functional constipation. Participants are randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio into two groups: an intervention group receiving standard care supplemented with an interactive mobile app, and a control group receiving standard care with a printed version of recommendations.

The interactive mobile app includes features aimed at increasing engagement and adherence, such as daily symptom tracking, medication and hydration reminders, educational content, diet guidance, and rewards to motivate participation. The printed materials are equivalent to app regarding information.

This trial aims to determine whether a digital intervention can meaningfully enhance treatment adherence and improve clinical outcomes in pediatric functional constipation, and potentially serve as a scalable tool for supporting families in managing this common chronic condition.

The primary endpoint is the improvement in constipation symptoms over 3 months and 6 months follow-up, assessed by measuring quality of life (measured using the PedsQL Gastrointestinal Module). Secondary outcome is the improvement (bowel movement frequency and stool consistency using the Bristol Stool Form Scale).

Data collection: Symptoms tracking - PedsQL Gastrointestinal Module, bowel movements, water intake, macrogol intake

*Mobile App Features:

Daily symptom tracking

Medication reminders

Diet and fluid intake tips

Games and reward system

Control: Identical interface without interactive features

Intervention scheme:

Visit 1 (enrolment, 0):

medical history, physical examination interpretation of laboratory findings (coeliac disease, vitamin D deficiency, hypercalcemia, hypothyroidism), which would exclude patient from study app presentation or printed materials introduction PedsQL Gastrointestinal Module fill-up

Visit 2 (after 1 month, 1)

medical history, physical examination counseling PedsQL Gastrointestinal Module fill-up and comparison of results from previous visit

Visit 3 (after another 1 month, 2)

medical history, physical examination PedsQL Gastrointestinal Module fill-up and comparison of results from previous visit

Visit 4 (after another 1 month, 3)

medical history, physical examination counseling PedsQL Gastrointestinal Module fill-up and comparison of results from previous visit

Visit 5 ( follow-up after 6 month of study, 6) medical history, physical examination counseling, program ending and final remarks PedsQL Gastrointestinal Module fill-up and comparison of results from previous visit

Inclusion criteria

• age 4-18,
• meeting Rome Criteria IV of functional constipation

Exclusion criteria

• organic causes of constipation
• comorbidities