Acupressure for Constipation in the Elderly

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study was carried out to determine the effect of acupressure applied to LI4, CV12, ST25 and ST36 acupuncture points for a total of 21 minutes, three to each point, on the symptoms of constipation and quality of life of elderly individuals.

Detailed Description
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The study is a qualitative and quantitative mixed method, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, pretest-posttest control group study. In this study; a total of 81 elderly individuals over the age of 65 and diagnosed with constipation in a family health center were included, 41 individuals in the acupressure group and 40 individuals in the placebo control group. Ethics committee approval, informed voluntary consent of the elderly and all other necessary permissions to conduct the study were obtained before the study. The data of the study were collected using the Individual Identification Form, the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS), the Constipation Quality of Life Scale (PAC-QOL), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Individual Follow-up Form and the Semi-Structured Interview Form. Acupressure was applied to individuals in the acupressure group every day for 12 days, and placebo acupressure was applied to individuals in the placebo acupressure group at the same time and in line with the same protocol. In addition, individual in-depth interviews were conducted with the individuals in the acupressure group after the applications were completed. Quantitative data were evaluated using the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows 24.0 package program. In the evaluation of quantitative data; Independent groups t test / Mann Whitney U test, dependent groups t-test, two-way mixed pattern ANOVA, multiple regression analysis (enter method) were used and p<0.05 value was considered statistically significant. In the evaluation of qualitative data, descriptive and content analysis methods were used.

Official Title
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The Effect of Acupressure on Constıpatıon Symptoms and Quality of Lıfe in Elderly People

Conditions
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Constıpatıon

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Acupressure


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Aged 65 and over, Able to answer cognitive questions Able to do daily tasks unaided Experiencing two or more of the Rome IV criteria Exclusion Criteria: Communication and adaptation difficulties, Malignant, intestinal obstruction, fecal incontinence, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal infection, etc. have a contraindication to continue the intervention, addicted to bed Chronic pain requiring long-term analgesic intake and using psychiatric medication,

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: randomized, placebo-controlled, pretest-posttest control group study.
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Acupressure (intervention group)<br>Acupressure was applied to individuals in the acupressure group every day for 12 days. | Other: Acupressure<br>* Acupressure is a technique based on stimulating certain points on the body with stimulation methods such as hands and fingers.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: control group<br>Placebo acupressure was applied to the individuals in the placebo acupressure group in accordance with the same protocol. | Other: Acupressure<br>* Acupressure is a technique based on stimulating certain points on the body with stimulation methods such as hands and fingers.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS) | It was used to evaluate the symptoms of constipation. | Change from Baseline symptoms of constipation at 12 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Constipation Quality of Life Scale (PAC-QOL) | It was used to evaluate the quality of life. | Change from baseline constipation-related quality of life at 12 days | 
| Visual Analog Scale (VAS) | It was used to assess the level of defecation comfort. | Change from baseline defecation comfort at 12 days | 
| Number of Defecation | 12-day total number of defecations | Change from baseline number of defecations at 12 days | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Acupressure, Constipation, Quality of life, Elderly people, Nursing