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Implementation of Physical Therapy Protocol for Functional Constipation

21 de julio de 2026 actualizado por: Abanob William Makram Fourtaneeh, Cairo University

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of standard medical treatment alone and the effects of adding different physiotherapy protocols to standard medical treatment on constipation severity, abdominal circumference, and quality of life in adults with functional constipation.

Researchers will compare four groups to investigate the effects of standard medical treatment alone and the effects of adding different physiotherapy protocols to standard medical treatment. The physiotherapy protocols will include maitland orthopedic manual therapy, electrical russian stimulation, osteopathic visceral manipulation, passive peristalsis motion techniques, and a home program including isometric abdominal muscle exercises and hot packs.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups. The control group will receive standard medical treatment alone. The three intervention groups will receive standard medical treatment combined with different physiotherapy protocols. The treatment program will last six weeks. Constipation severity and quality of life will be assessed at baseline, after the first two weeks, after the second two-week period, and after the final two weeks. Abdominal circumference will be measured before the start of treatment and after completion of the intervention

Descripción general del estudio

Descripción detallada

Functional constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by infrequent bowel movements, straining during defecation, and hard or lumpy stools. Despite the use of pharmacological treatments, some patients continue to experience persistent symptoms and reduced quality of life. Previous studies have investigated individual physiotherapy techniques, including manual therapy, visceral manipulation, and electrical stimulation, but limited evidence is available regarding the combined effects of different physiotherapy approaches alongside standard medical treatment in adults with functional constipation.

This study will be conducted as a randomized controlled trial with a pre-test and post-test design. Sixty adults aged 20 to 40 years with functional constipation will be randomly allocated into four equal groups of 15 participants. The study will compare standard medical treatment alone with different combinations of physiotherapy interventions added to standard medical treatment.

The study will investigate whether the addition of different physiotherapy protocols to standard medical treatment can improve constipation severity, constipation-related quality of life, and abdominal circumference. The treatment program will be conducted over a six-week period, and the outcomes will be assessed according to the predefined assessment schedule.

The findings of this study may help clarify the effects of combining different physiotherapy approaches with standard medical treatment and may contribute to the development of more comprehensive physiotherapy management strategies for adults with functional constipation.

Tipo de estudio

Intervencionista

Inscripción (Estimado)

60

Fase

  • No aplica

Contactos y Ubicaciones

Esta sección proporciona los datos de contacto de quienes realizan el estudio e información sobre dónde se lleva a cabo este estudio.

Estudio Contacto

Copia de seguridad de contactos de estudio

  • Nombre: Mariam O. Grace, Assistant Professor
  • Número de teléfono: +201281940603
  • Correo electrónico: Dr.mariamomran@cu.edu.eg

Criterios de participación

Los investigadores buscan personas que se ajusten a una determinada descripción, denominada criterio de elegibilidad. Algunos ejemplos de estos criterios son el estado de salud general de una persona o tratamientos previos.

Criterio de elegibilidad

Edades elegibles para estudiar

  • Adulto

Acepta Voluntarios Saludables

No

Descripción

Inclusion Criteria:

  • All patients had functional constipation.
  • All patients will be diagnosed and referred by physicians.
  • Their ages will range from 20 to 40 years old .
  • Both genders will be in study.
  • Patients with low physical activity or sedentary life
  • All understand the purpose of the session

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnancy.
  • Recent abdominal surgery.
  • Patients with acute ischemic bowel disease.
  • Intestinal obstruction.
  • Patients with Celiac Disease.
  • Patients with Crohn's disease.
  • Endocrine and metabolic causes of chronic constipation.
  • Neurological causes of chronic constipation.

Plan de estudios

Esta sección proporciona detalles del plan de estudio, incluido cómo está diseñado el estudio y qué mide el estudio.

¿Cómo está diseñado el estudio?

Detalles de diseño

  • Propósito principal: Tratamiento
  • Asignación: Aleatorizado
  • Modelo Intervencionista: Asignación paralela
  • Enmascaramiento: Único

Armas e Intervenciones

Grupo de participantes/brazo
Intervención / Tratamiento
Comparador activo: Control group (A)
Participants in this arm will receive medication prescribed by an internal medicine physician as the standard medical treatment for functional constipation. No physiotherapy intervention will be administered during the 6-week study period.
Participants will receive standard medical treatment for functional constipation as prescribed and managed by an internal medicine physician according to the participant's clinical condition. The specific medication, dosage, and duration will be determined by the treating physician.
Experimental: Study group (B)
Participants in this arm will receive medication prescribed by an internal medicine physician in addition to Maitland Orthopedic Manual Therapy (MOMT), Electrical Russian Stimulation (ERS), passive peristalsis motion techniques, Isometric Abdominal Muscle Exercises (IAME), and hot packs as a home program. The physiotherapy interventions will be administered three sessions per week for six weeks.
Participants will receive standard medical treatment for functional constipation as prescribed and managed by an internal medicine physician according to the participant's clinical condition. The specific medication, dosage, and duration will be determined by the treating physician.
Maitland orthopedic manual therapy will be applied to the T9-L2 spinal segments using facet joint mobilization techniques, corresponding to the gastrointestinal tract. Mobilization will be performed at a frequency of 2-3 oscillations per second, with 3-4 mobilizations applied to each joint. Each mobilization will last approximately 30 seconds, with a 1-minute rest interval between mobilizations. The intervention will be administered three sessions per week for six weeks.
Russian current stimulation will be applied to the abdominal muscles for 10 minutes in the supine lying position. The stimulation will be delivered in repeated cycles of 10 seconds of stimulation followed by 50 seconds of rest throughout the 10-minute treatment period. Four electrodes will be placed over the abdominal muscles, including the rectus abdominis and transversus abdominis muscles: two electrodes above the umbilicus and two below the umbilicus, positioned paramedian to the umbilicus. The stimulation intensity will be adjusted according to the participant's tolerance. The intervention will be administered three sessions per week for six weeks.
Passive peristalsis motion techniques will be performed using a Swedish technique combining abdominal and colonic massage. Participants will be positioned supine, with thin pillows under the head and knees. Massage oil will be used to reduce friction. The technique will be performed in five phases, with three repetitions: abdominal stroking, colon stroking, colon kneading using deep circular/frictional movements at seven points approximately 5 cm apart along the descending, transverse, and ascending colon, followed by colon stroking and abdominal stroking. Light-to-medium pressure will be used for abdominal stroking, while firm pressure will be applied during colon stroking and kneading. Colon strokes will be performed clockwise, following the direction of the colon. Treatment will be provided three times weekly, with each session lasting approximately 10 minutes, for six weeks.
Participants will perform the exercises at home as part of the home program. The participant will lie supine with the hips and knees flexed to 90°. Training will begin with two sets of eight contractions and relaxations, continuing until the end of the third week. From the fourth week onward, the protocol will progress to two sets of 12 contractions and relaxations. The exercise will be considered successful when protrusion of the lower abdomen is observed, indicating simultaneous relaxation of the lower abdominal muscles and pelvic floor.
Participants will apply a hot pack at home as part of the home program for six weeks. The hot pack will be wrapped in a cotton towel and applied to the abdominal region for 10-15 minutes per session.
Experimental: Study group (C)
Participants in this arm will receive medication prescribed by an internal medicine physician in addition to Maitland Orthopedic Manual Therapy (MOMT), passive peristalsis motion techniques, Isometric Abdominal Muscle Exercises (IAME), and hot packs as a home program, administered three sessions per week for six weeks. Osteopathic Visceral Manipulation (OVM) will be administered once weekly for six weeks.
Participants will receive standard medical treatment for functional constipation as prescribed and managed by an internal medicine physician according to the participant's clinical condition. The specific medication, dosage, and duration will be determined by the treating physician.
Maitland orthopedic manual therapy will be applied to the T9-L2 spinal segments using facet joint mobilization techniques, corresponding to the gastrointestinal tract. Mobilization will be performed at a frequency of 2-3 oscillations per second, with 3-4 mobilizations applied to each joint. Each mobilization will last approximately 30 seconds, with a 1-minute rest interval between mobilizations. The intervention will be administered three sessions per week for six weeks.
Passive peristalsis motion techniques will be performed using a Swedish technique combining abdominal and colonic massage. Participants will be positioned supine, with thin pillows under the head and knees. Massage oil will be used to reduce friction. The technique will be performed in five phases, with three repetitions: abdominal stroking, colon stroking, colon kneading using deep circular/frictional movements at seven points approximately 5 cm apart along the descending, transverse, and ascending colon, followed by colon stroking and abdominal stroking. Light-to-medium pressure will be used for abdominal stroking, while firm pressure will be applied during colon stroking and kneading. Colon strokes will be performed clockwise, following the direction of the colon. Treatment will be provided three times weekly, with each session lasting approximately 10 minutes, for six weeks.
Participants will perform the exercises at home as part of the home program. The participant will lie supine with the hips and knees flexed to 90°. Training will begin with two sets of eight contractions and relaxations, continuing until the end of the third week. From the fourth week onward, the protocol will progress to two sets of 12 contractions and relaxations. The exercise will be considered successful when protrusion of the lower abdomen is observed, indicating simultaneous relaxation of the lower abdominal muscles and pelvic floor.
Participants will apply a hot pack at home as part of the home program for six weeks. The hot pack will be wrapped in a cotton towel and applied to the abdominal region for 10-15 minutes per session.
Osteopathic visceral manipulation (OVM) will be performed with participants in a hook-lying position, with the head supported by a pillow to reduce tension on the abdominal wall. A physiotherapist will apply OVM to eight abdominal sites: the cardia, pylorus, sphincter of Oddi, duodenojejunal valve, ileocecal valve, sigmoid colon, liver (global manipulation), and global hemodynamic manipulation. Each of the first six techniques will be performed for 1 minute. The last two techniques will be performed 10 times each in association with respiratory inspiration and expiration. Deep pressure will be applied using the lower palm over the targeted sites. OVM will be administered once weekly for six weeks.
Experimental: Study group (D)
Participants in this arm will receive medication prescribed by an internal medicine physician in addition to Maitland Orthopedic Manual Therapy (MOMT), Electrical Russian Stimulation (ERS), passive peristalsis motion techniques, Isometric Abdominal Muscle Exercises (IAME), and hot packs as a home program, administered three sessions per week for six weeks. Osteopathic Visceral Manipulation (OVM) will be administered once weekly for six weeks.
Participants will receive standard medical treatment for functional constipation as prescribed and managed by an internal medicine physician according to the participant's clinical condition. The specific medication, dosage, and duration will be determined by the treating physician.
Maitland orthopedic manual therapy will be applied to the T9-L2 spinal segments using facet joint mobilization techniques, corresponding to the gastrointestinal tract. Mobilization will be performed at a frequency of 2-3 oscillations per second, with 3-4 mobilizations applied to each joint. Each mobilization will last approximately 30 seconds, with a 1-minute rest interval between mobilizations. The intervention will be administered three sessions per week for six weeks.
Russian current stimulation will be applied to the abdominal muscles for 10 minutes in the supine lying position. The stimulation will be delivered in repeated cycles of 10 seconds of stimulation followed by 50 seconds of rest throughout the 10-minute treatment period. Four electrodes will be placed over the abdominal muscles, including the rectus abdominis and transversus abdominis muscles: two electrodes above the umbilicus and two below the umbilicus, positioned paramedian to the umbilicus. The stimulation intensity will be adjusted according to the participant's tolerance. The intervention will be administered three sessions per week for six weeks.
Passive peristalsis motion techniques will be performed using a Swedish technique combining abdominal and colonic massage. Participants will be positioned supine, with thin pillows under the head and knees. Massage oil will be used to reduce friction. The technique will be performed in five phases, with three repetitions: abdominal stroking, colon stroking, colon kneading using deep circular/frictional movements at seven points approximately 5 cm apart along the descending, transverse, and ascending colon, followed by colon stroking and abdominal stroking. Light-to-medium pressure will be used for abdominal stroking, while firm pressure will be applied during colon stroking and kneading. Colon strokes will be performed clockwise, following the direction of the colon. Treatment will be provided three times weekly, with each session lasting approximately 10 minutes, for six weeks.
Participants will perform the exercises at home as part of the home program. The participant will lie supine with the hips and knees flexed to 90°. Training will begin with two sets of eight contractions and relaxations, continuing until the end of the third week. From the fourth week onward, the protocol will progress to two sets of 12 contractions and relaxations. The exercise will be considered successful when protrusion of the lower abdomen is observed, indicating simultaneous relaxation of the lower abdominal muscles and pelvic floor.
Participants will apply a hot pack at home as part of the home program for six weeks. The hot pack will be wrapped in a cotton towel and applied to the abdominal region for 10-15 minutes per session.
Osteopathic visceral manipulation (OVM) will be performed with participants in a hook-lying position, with the head supported by a pillow to reduce tension on the abdominal wall. A physiotherapist will apply OVM to eight abdominal sites: the cardia, pylorus, sphincter of Oddi, duodenojejunal valve, ileocecal valve, sigmoid colon, liver (global manipulation), and global hemodynamic manipulation. Each of the first six techniques will be performed for 1 minute. The last two techniques will be performed 10 times each in association with respiratory inspiration and expiration. Deep pressure will be applied using the lower palm over the targeted sites. OVM will be administered once weekly for six weeks.

¿Qué mide el estudio?

Medidas de resultado primarias

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Constipation Severity
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (pre-test), after the first 2 weeks of intervention, after the second 2-week period, and after the final 2 weeks at the end of the 6-week treatment program (post-test).
Constipation severity will be assessed using the Constipation Scoring System (CSS), also known as the Cleveland Clinic Constipation Score. The CSS assesses constipation severity on a 0-30 point scale, with higher scores indicating greater constipation severity.
Baseline (pre-test), after the first 2 weeks of intervention, after the second 2-week period, and after the final 2 weeks at the end of the 6-week treatment program (post-test).

Medidas de resultado secundarias

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Constipation-Related Quality of Life
Periodo de tiempo: The PAC-QOL will be assessed at baseline, after the first 2 weeks of intervention, after the second 2-week period, and after the final 2 weeks at the end of the 6-week treatment program.
Constipation-related quality of life will be assessed using the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAC-QOL). The Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAC-QOL) consists of 28 items rated on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 0 to 4. It assesses four subscales: physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, worries and concerns, and satisfaction. Higher scores indicate worse quality of life in the physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, and worries and concerns subscales. The total score for these subscales ranges from 0 to 96. The satisfaction subscale is reverse-coded, with scores ranging from 0 to 16, where higher scores indicate greater satisfaction and better quality of life.
The PAC-QOL will be assessed at baseline, after the first 2 weeks of intervention, after the second 2-week period, and after the final 2 weeks at the end of the 6-week treatment program.
Abdominal Circumference
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (pre-test) and after completion of the 6-week intervention (post-test).
Abdominal circumference will be measured using a non-stretchable measuring tape at the level of the umbilicus with the participant in a standing position, feet slightly apart, and arms relaxed at the sides. Measurements were taken at the end of a normal expiration to minimize variability. Each measurement was repeated twice, and the mean value was recorded. Abdominal circumference was used as an objective indicator of abdominal distension associated with functional constipation.
Baseline (pre-test) and after completion of the 6-week intervention (post-test).

Colaboradores e Investigadores

Aquí es donde encontrará personas y organizaciones involucradas en este estudio.

Patrocinador

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Publicaciones Generales

Fechas de registro del estudio

Estas fechas rastrean el progreso del registro del estudio y los envíos de resultados resumidos a ClinicalTrials.gov. Los registros del estudio y los resultados informados son revisados ​​por la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina (NLM) para asegurarse de que cumplan con los estándares de control de calidad específicos antes de publicarlos en el sitio web público.

Fechas importantes del estudio

Inicio del estudio (Estimado)

1 de agosto de 2026

Finalización primaria (Estimado)

1 de octubre de 2026

Finalización del estudio (Estimado)

1 de febrero de 2027

Fechas de registro del estudio

Enviado por primera vez

18 de julio de 2026

Primero enviado que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad

18 de julio de 2026

Publicado por primera vez (Actual)

22 de julio de 2026

Actualizaciones de registros de estudio

Última actualización publicada (Actual)

23 de julio de 2026

Última actualización enviada que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad

21 de julio de 2026

Última verificación

1 de julio de 2026

Más información

Términos relacionados con este estudio

Plan de datos de participantes individuales (IPD)

¿Planea compartir datos de participantes individuales (IPD)?

NO

Información sobre medicamentos y dispositivos, documentos del estudio

Estudia un producto farmacéutico regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.

No

Estudia un producto de dispositivo regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.

No

Esta información se obtuvo directamente del sitio web clinicaltrials.gov sin cambios. Si tiene alguna solicitud para cambiar, eliminar o actualizar los detalles de su estudio, comuníquese con register@clinicaltrials.gov. Tan pronto como se implemente un cambio en clinicaltrials.gov, también se actualizará automáticamente en nuestro sitio web. .

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