A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial: Comparison of Effectiveness of Reflexology and Abdominal Massage on Constipation among Orthopedic Patients

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Constipation is one of the most common health problems presenting in patients hospitalized within orthopedic settings. This present study was done with the aim of determining the effect of foot reflexology and abdominal massage on constipation severity. Methods: This study is a single -blind randomized controlled trial completed using 3 groups comprising a total of 60 patients hospitalized in the orthopedic wards of Shohada hospital in the Northwest Azerbaijan- Iran. One of the intervention groups involved the use of foot reflexology and in the other abdominal massage was carried out once daily for 6 days. An assessor blinded to the group allocation measured and recorded constipation severity before the intervention, then daily from day 1 until day 6 post intervention by constipation evaluation scale. For data analysis ANCOVA and repeated measurement ANOVA tests was used in SPSS version 16. Results: After adjustment for confounders adjusted through ANCOVA test between intervention and control groups until the second day after the intervention, there was no significant difference between in severity of constipation (p>0.05) but on the third day of the sixth intervention day at least difference between the two study groups was significant (p<0.001). To compare of severity of constipation in the third to sixth day of intervention in the three study groups was conducted from LSD test and results showed that between the intervention group and the control group there were significant differences (p<0.001). After adjustment for confounders adjusted through ANCOVA test between intervention and control groups in the first days after the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of consumption of laxative (p>0.05) but on the second day to the sixth day of intervention day at least difference between two study groups was significant (p<0.001). To compare of severity of constipation in the third to sixth day of intervention in the three study groups was conducted from LSD test and results showed that between the intervention group and the control group there were significant differences (p<0.001). To compare of consumption of laxative in the second to sixth day of intervention in the three study groups was conducted from LSD test and results showed that between the intervention group and the control group there were significant differences (p<0.001). Time had a significant effect on constipation of severity reduction during the study, meaning that constipation, severe in the intervention groups decreased significantly as the study progressed (p<0. 001). Conclusions: The positive effects of foot reflexology and abdominal massage on the severity of constipation and consumption of laxative in hospitalized patients means that both can be used as economical and non-invasive nursing interventions for the relief of constipation.