Investigation of the Additional Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training to Abdominal Massage in Functional Constipation

Summary

The aim of this study was to investigate the additional effects of aerobic exercise to abdominal massage in patients with functional constipation. There are several studies investigating the effects of massage and aerobic exercise separately in functional constipation. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no studies combining abdominal massage and aerobic exercise to demonstrate additional effects. By combining these two approaches, we believe that a higher and broader effect (local and systemic) and perhaps a cure for constipation (reaching the ideal defecation frequency or asymptomatic status) can be achieved. Therefore, this study will include individuals between the ages of 18-65 who have a diagnosis of functional constipation and who agree to participate in the study. This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial.

Conditions

• Constipation

Interventions

OTHER

Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercise training will be given for 8 weeks, 3 days a week on the treadmill in the clinic under the supervision of a physiotherapist, and 8 weeks, the other 2 days a week outside the clinic. The duration of the walking session is 50 minutes (5 minutes warm-up - 40 minutes load - 5 minutes cool down). Walking speed in the clinic will be determined according to the Heart Rate Reserve(HRR) method. In the warm-up and cool-down phases in the clinic, the walking speed will be adjusted in the range of 20-40% of HRR, while in the loading phase it will be adjusted in the range of 40-60% of HRR. Heart rate will be monitored with a monitor that detects heart rate by hand contact on the treadmill. Outside the clinic, walking speed will be determined according to the level of fatigue perceived on the Borg Scale. Outside the clinic, walking speed will be regulated as 10-12 (light) on the Borg scale during warm-up and cool-down phases and 12-14 (slightly difficult) during the loading period.

OTHER

Abdominal Massage

Abdominal massage will be performed manually by applying baby oil to the patient's abdomen and while the patient is in the supine position. This application will take approximately 15 minutes. The massage will be performed by the physiotherapist in the clinic 3 days a week for 8 weeks and by the patient outside the clinic 2 days a week for 8 weeks as self-massage.

OTHER

Patient Education

Patient education will include information on the definition of constipation, causes of constipation, how constipation occurs, factors affecting constipation, concepts related to constipation, treatment options for constipation, and lifestyle recommendations for constipation, including increasing fluid intake, regulating nutrition, increasing physical activity, and regulating toilet habits.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hacettepe University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Serap ÖZGÜL, Prof · Hacettepe University, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

• Hatice Yasemin BALABAN · Hacettepe University, Department of Internal Diseases, Division of Gastroenterology

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-03-15

Primary Completion

2026-03-15

Completion

2026-03-15

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations