Abdominal massage training for caregivers to help manage constipation

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial tests whether giving primary caregivers a single 45-minute abdominal massage training session, plus caregiver-delivered massage, can reduce constipation severity and improve stool form in palliative care patients. The study also looks at caregiver burden and self-efficacy in supporting patient self-care. It will enroll patient-caregiver pairs from a palliative care unit in Istanbul and randomize them to intervention or usual care. Outcomes include constipation-related measures and caregiver experience, with researchers ensuring standardized delivery of the massage technique. The design emphasizes nonpharmacologic symptom management in a real-world care setting.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients:

* Aged 18 years or older.
* Hospitalized in a palliative care unit for at least two weeks.
* Experiencing constipation.
* No clinical contraindication to abdominal massage.
* No open surgical wound, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), stoma, or active surgical sutures in the abdominal region.

Caregivers:

* Aged 18 years or older.
* Serving as the patient's primary caregiver.
* No physical or cognitive condition that prevents learning and performing abdominal massage.
* Willing to participate voluntarily in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients:

* Constipation caused by an acute surgical or pathophysiological condition, such as ileus.
* Any clinical condition that makes abdominal massage unsafe.
* Active surgical complications in the abdominal region.
* A clinical condition that prevents completion of the study procedures.

Caregivers:

* Insufficient cognitive or physical capacity to perform the techniques taught during training.
* A health or social condition that prevents completion of the study procedures.

Criteria for Discontinuation:

* Participant requests withdrawal from the study.
* Patient is discharged from the hospital.
* Patient dies.
* The data collection process cannot be completed.

Where it's running

• Sultanbeyli State Hospital
  Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Hamiyet Kızıl, PhD
• Email: hamiyet.kizil@sbu.edu.tr
• Phone: +90 (536) 037 07 57

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.