Foot Reflexology and Abdominal Massage (experimental)

March 9, 2025 updated by: Aysun Bayram, Karadeniz Technical University

The Effects of Foot Reflexology and Abdominal Massage in Elderly on Constipation: a Randomized Controlled Trial

to determine and compare the effects of foot reflexology and abdominal massage applied to elderly individuals on constipation

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This randomized controlled study examined the effects of foot reflexology and abdominal massage on constipation in 90 elderly individuals from three nursing homes. Participants were divided into three groups: reflexology, abdominal massage, and control. The intervention groups received eight sessions over three weeks, while the control group received no treatment.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

90

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey
      • Trabzon, Turkey
        • Karadeniz Technical University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Being 65 years or older Having no movement restrictions Not using pharmacological laxatives Being diagnosed with constipation according to the ROMA IV criteria Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

Individuals having a condition that prevents cognitive, affective and verbal communication Having a disorder related to the nervous system and circulatory system Having an injection applied to the abdominal region during the application process Having a systematic disorder related to the GIS (diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, fecal impaction, incontinence, etc.) Having physiological and structural disorders that may prevent evacuation in the anus region (rectal fissure, etc.) Having any negativity in the sensory function examination test performed with a sharp-blunt hard object on the sole of the foot and abdomen Having any physiological and structural disorders related to the foot/sole of the foot

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group 1: Foot Reflexology
In the experimental group-1, foot reflexology interventions were applied every three days, with each session lasting 30 minutes, for a total of eight sessions.
Other: foot reflexology
Foot reflexology is a complementary therapy that involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet, which are believed to correspond to different organs and systems in the body. This technique aims to promote healing by improving blood circulation, reducing stress, and supporting overall well-being. Reflexology is often used to help with issues such as constipation, stress, sleep disorders, and pain management.
Experimental: Group 2: Abdominal Massage
In the experimental group-2, abdominal massage interventions were applied every three days, with each session lasting 30 minutes, for a total of eight sessions.
Other: abdominal massage
Abdominal massage is a therapeutic technique that involves applying gentle pressure and circular motions to the abdominal area to stimulate digestion, improve bowel movements, and relieve discomfort. It is commonly used to help with issues such as constipation, bloating, and digestive disorders by promoting intestinal motility and blood circulation. This technique can be performed manually or with the help of tools and is often incorporated into holistic and nursing care practices.
No Intervention: Group 3: Control
The elderly individuals in the control group did not receive any intervention and were only monitored.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Constipation Severity Scale
Time Frame: Day 1 and Day 13 and Day 25
Does foot reflexology have an effect on constipation in elderly individuals? Constipation Severity Scale: The total score range is 0-73, with higher scores indicating greater severity of constipation.
Day 1 and Day 13 and Day 25
Constipation Severity Scale
Time Frame: Day 1 and Day 13 and Day 25
Does abdominal massage have an effect on constipation in elderly individuals? Constipation Severity Scale: The total score range is 0-73, with higher scores indicating greater severity of constipation.
Day 1 and Day 13 and Day 25
Constipation Severity Scale
Time Frame: Day 1 and Day 13 and Day 25
Is there a difference between the effects of foot reflexology and abdominal massage on constipation in elderly individuals? Constipation Severity Scale: The total score range is 0-73, with higher scores indicating greater severity of constipation.
Day 1 and Day 13 and Day 25

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Karadeniz Technical University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

January 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 30, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

February 19, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 20, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 9, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

March 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 25, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 9, 2025

Last Verified

March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2015-KAEK-80-23-30

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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