Effectiveness of Electromagnetic Field Therapy in Chronic Constipation

Summary

This study was a prospective randomise controlled study. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of transabdominal magnetic field therapy on constipation severity in patients with chronic functional constipation.

After eligibility assessment and baseline measurements, participants were randomly allocated into three groups: the transabdominal magnetic field therapy group, the sham group, and the standard care group. All groups received Constipation Management Education. The education program, developed based on the literature, covered the definition, causes, risk factors, medication use, and lifestyle-related factors associated with constipation. In addition, behavioral recommendations were provided, including maintaining regular bowel habits, adopting an appropriate defecation posture, avoiding delayed defecation and excessive straining, and optimizing diet, fluid intake, and physical activity.

The MFT group received active transabdominal magnetic field therapy twice weekly for 8 weeks. The sham group underwent the same device placement and session protocol; however, the device was used without delivering an active magnetic field. The standard care group received only Constipation Management Education. Participants were followed face to face for 8 weeks, and individual counseling was provided when needed to answer their questions.

The primary outcome measure was the Constipation Severity Instrument (CSI). Secondary outcomes were the CSI subscales, the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life questionnaire (PAC-QOL), the Bristol Stool Form Scale, complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM), and defecation time.

Conditions

• Constipation
• Electrotherapy

Interventions

OTHER

Magnetic Field Treatment

Magnetic Field Treatment was applied to the participants for 30 minutes a day, twice a week for 8 weeks, using an electromagnetic field therapy device, in a supine position, by placing circular magnetotherapy electrodes in the abdominal area, at 25 Hz and 30 Gauss power.

OTHER

Standard Care Group

The standard care group received "training on how to manage constipation".

OTHER

Sham (No Treatment)

The sham group underwent the same procedure without active stimulation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medipol University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Esra Atilgan, PhD · Medipol University

• Gizem Boztas Elverisli, PhD · Medipol University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

68 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-02-01

Primary Completion

2026-04-28

Completion

2026-04-28

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations