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NCT Number: NCT05612646

The Effect of Acupressure in Improving Constipation Among Inpatients in Neurology Departments

As a form of non-invasive auxiliary care, Traditional Chinese Medicine acupressure can prevent constipation, reduce medication for constipation, save medical costs, and alleviate constipation among inpatients in neurology departments, as well as improve patients' general ease and comfort of defecation, thereby improving their quality of life. It also provides clinical nursing staff with a more effective, safer, and more comfortable auxiliary method of preventing constipation, and can be used as a reference for the nursing of such patients.

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Key information

Conditions

Constipation Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Digestive

Age range

20 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

1650 Taiwan Boulevard Sect. 4

Taichung, 40705, Taiwan

About this study

Background: Constipation is a common problem among geriatric patients and in neurology departments. However, using stool softeners and enemas yield only temporary effects and may even lead to alternating constipation, diarrhea, and metabolic disorders. Because of its non-invasive nature, Acupressure can be used as adjuvant therapy of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine to prevent constipation among inpatients in neurology departments. It is necessary to verify that Acupressure can be applied to avoid and alleviate patients' constipation, improve their comfort, and improve their quality of life.

Objective: To explore the effect of Acupressure in alleviating constipation among inpatients in neurology departments.Method: A randomized controlled two-group pre-test and post-test experiment design were adopted in this study; neurology department inpatients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group, which comprised 64 subjects receiving Acupressure on three acupoints (Tianshu, ST25: Stomach Meridian 25; Zhongwan CV12: Conception Vessel 12; Qihai CV6: Meridian Vessel 6) or the control group which comprised 64 subjects receiving routine nursing and fake Acupressure. The research tools included the Bristol Stool Form and Constipation Assessment Scale.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age ≥ 20 years old
  • Established diagnosis of stroke (ischemic, hemorrhagic acute phase)
  • NIHSS 1-20 points
  • Undiagnosed within three months before admission With intestinal disease and no rectal resection
  • meeting the diagnostic criteria for functional constipation (Rome IV).

Exclusion criteria

  • Abdominal surgery or abdominal radiotherapy within three months
  • Abdominal cancer including liver, large intestine, lymph, and pelvic cavity, etc.,
  • Massive ascites
  • There are implants in the abdominal cavity, such as V-P Shunt, L-P Shunt, CAPD, etc.

Treatment and study plan

Acupressure

Procedure

The patients assigned to the experimental group received acupoint massage designed to improve constipation for 7 days during hospitalization. The selection of acupoints in this study includes "Tianshu (double)" (Tianshu, ST25: Stomach Meridian 25, the 25th point of the stomach meridian), "Zhongwan (single)" (Zhongwan CV12: Conception Vessel 12, the 12th point of the Ren meridian) ), "Qihai Point (Single)" (Qihai CV6: Meridian Vessel 6 Renmai 6th point) 3 points.

routine nursing and fake acupressure

Procedure

control groups: receiving routine nursing and fake acupressure to improve constipation for 7 days during hospitalization.

Primary outcomes

  1. The constipation assessment scale scores

    Time frame: Assessment from the first day to the seventh day after treatment

    Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS), a total of 8 questions, 0 points: no, 1 point: yes, but not severe, 2 points. Very serious, the higher the score (0-16 points), the more severe the constipation symptoms.

  2. The Bristol Stool Form Scale

    Time frame: Assessment from the first day to the seventh day after treatment

    bach's alpha of The Bristol Stool Form Scale. Classification: Type 1: hard balls (difficult to pass through), Type 2: sausage-like, but with uneven surface Type 3: sausage-like, but with cracks on the surface, Type 4: like sausage or snake Surface is smooth, type 5: soft lumps with smooth broken edges (easy to pass), type 6: fluffy lumps with rough edges, mushy stool, type 7: watery, no solid lumps (completely liquid), type 1 Types 3 and 2 indicate constipation; Types 3 and 4 are ideal stool shapes, especially Type 4 is the easiest to defecate; Types 5 to 7 are likely to have diarrhea

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Taichung Veterans General Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Taiwan Taichung Veterans General Hospital

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Nov 10, 2022
Registry last updated
May 9, 2023

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.

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