Effectiveness of Squatting Position on Constipation Severity and Defecation Problems

Effectiveness of Squatting Position on Constipation Severity and Defecation Problems in the Postoperative Period of Hernia Surgery

One of the most common nursing care problems after surgery is defecation problems and the risk of constipation. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of the squatting position with footstool on the constipation severity and defecation problems in the postoperative period in patients with hernia surgery.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Constipation; Postoperative Care; Nursing Care
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Squatting position by footstool

Detailed Description

In this study, after the surgical procedure, the patients were placed in a squatting position by placing a stool under their feet in the toilet.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 102
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Karabük, Turkey
    • Karabuk University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Hernia surgery in the general surgery clinic
• Between 18 and 65 years of age
• BMI between normal and overweight (18.50-24,99 kg/m2: Normal,25-29,99 kg/m2: Overweight)
• Being able to establish verbal communication
• Volunteering to participate in the study
• Absence of mental confusion
• Having full consciousness and orientation
• Having no communication difficulties
• Having a constipation risk between moderate to high
• Using a water closet type toilet at home

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a low risk of constipation
• Patient who declined to participate in the study

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Squatting position by footstool; After the first postoperative ambulation, stable patients whose bowel movements resumed met their initial defecation needs with the squatting position created using a footstool at the appropriate height on the water closet type toilet. The patients used footstools in the hospital and throughout a week after discharge at home for defecation.	Other: Squatting position by footstool; Before the study, the height of the toilet bowls in the patient rooms was measured as 42 cm. The stools to be used for the study are manufactured by ordering laminated with white medium density fiberboard and synthetic resin resistant to harsh chemicals. Stools are made of high quality non-slip materials for patient safety. After the first postoperative ambulation, stable patients whose bowel movements resumed met their initial defecation needs with the squatting position created using a stool at the appropriate height on the water closet type toilet. The patients used footstools throughout a week after discharge at home and in the hospital for defecation.
No Intervention: Control Group; The control group received the routine care provided to all the patients in the clinic with no additional interventions.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from before surgery in The Constipation Severity Scale (CSS) average score	Constipation Severity Scale (CSS) aims to determine individuals' defecation frequency, intensity, and difficulty. The CSS consists of 16 items and three sub dimensions, namely Excrement Congestion, Large Bowel Laziness, and Pain. The lowest score that can be attained from the CSS is 0 while the highest score that can be attained is 73.	Data were collected before surgery, post-op 1st day, post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Difficulty pushing in defecation average score	Average score on a scale from 0 to 4. 0 I did not experience any difficulties, 1 I had mild difficulties, 2 I had some difficulties, 3 I had a lot of difficulties, 4 I experienced extreme difficulties.	Data were collected post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.
Duration of defecation, average minutes	The time (minutes) the patient spent defecation.	Data were collected post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.
Defecation pain average score	The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) consists of a 10 cm line used to evaluate defecation pain by scoring it between 1 and 10.	Data were collected post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.
Stool consistency	Bristol Stool Scale (BSS) is designed to classify the form of human faeces into seven categories. Types 1-2, hard; types 3-5, normal; types 6-7, loose/liquid	Data were collected post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.
Fear of pushing in defecation average score	Average score on a scale from 0 to 4. 0 No Fear, 1 Slightly Scared, 2 Slightly Scared, 3 Very Afraid, 4 Extremely Too Afraid.	Data were collected post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Meltem Kaya
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Meltem Kaya, Karabuk University; Study Chair: Aysegul Oksay Sahin, Karabuk University; Study Chair: Isıl Isık Andsoy, Karabuk University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2018
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 31, 2018
• Study Completion (Actual): May 31, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 18, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 10, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): March 18, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 18, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 10, 2022
• Last Verified: March 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Constipation; Clinical Nursing Research; Squatting Position; Defecation problems
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Constipation
• Other Study ID Numbers: SQUATTING; KBYBAB-17/YL-454 (Other Grant/Funding Number: Karabuk University Scientific Research Projects Office)

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No