The Effect of Acupressure in Improving Constipation Among Inpatients in Neurology Departments
Condition: Constipation
MeSH terms: Constipation
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      As a form of non-invasive auxiliary care, Traditional Chinese Medicine acupressure can
      prevent constipation, reduce medication for constipation, save medical costs, and alleviate
      constipation among inpatients in neurology departments, as well as improve patients' general
      ease and comfort of defecation, thereby improving their quality of life. It also provides
      clinical nursing staff with a more effective, safer, and more comfortable auxiliary method of
      preventing constipation, and can be used as a reference for the nursing of such patients.
    

Detailed description: 
      Background: Constipation is a common problem among geriatric patients and in neurology
      departments. However, using stool softeners and enemas yield only temporary effects and may
      even lead to alternating constipation, diarrhea, and metabolic disorders. Because of its
      non-invasive nature, Acupressure can be used as adjuvant therapy of integrated traditional
      Chinese and western medicine to prevent constipation among inpatients in neurology
      departments. It is necessary to verify that Acupressure can be applied to avoid and alleviate
      patients' constipation, improve their comfort, and improve their quality of life.

      Objective: To explore the effect of Acupressure in alleviating constipation among inpatients
      in neurology departments.Method: A randomized controlled two-group pre-test and post-test
      experiment design were adopted in this study; neurology department inpatients were randomly
      assigned to either the experimental group, which comprised 64 subjects receiving Acupressure
      on three acupoints (Tianshu, ST25: Stomach Meridian 25; Zhongwan CV12: Conception Vessel 12;
      Qihai CV6: Meridian Vessel 6) or the control group which comprised 64 subjects receiving
      routine nursing and fake Acupressure. The research tools included the Bristol Stool Form and
      Constipation Assessment Scale.
    

Intervention name(s): Acupressure; routine nursing and fake acupressure
Intervention type(s): Procedure; Procedure
Intervention description(s): The patients assigned to the experimental group received acupoint massage designed to improve constipation for 7 days during hospitalization. The selection of acupoints in this study includes "Tianshu (double)" (Tianshu, ST25: Stomach Meridian 25, the 25th point of the stomach meridian), "Zhongwan (single)" (Zhongwan CV12: Conception Vessel 12, the 12th point of the Ren meridian) ), "Qihai Point (Single)" (Qihai CV6: Meridian Vessel 6 Renmai 6th point) 3 points.; control groups: receiving routine nursing and fake acupressure to improve constipation for 7 days during hospitalization.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: Assignment A two-group controlled, randomized study, the intervention groups: receiving acupressure on 3 acupoints (Tianshu, ST25: Stomach Meridian 25; Zhongwan CV12: Conception Vessel 12; Qihai CV6: Meridian Vessel 6), control groups: receiving routine nursing and fake acupressure.
Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care
Keywords: acupressure, constipation,