Combining aerobic exercise with abdominal massage for treating functional constipation

Investigation of the Additional Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training to Abdominal Massage in Functional Constipation

This study is testing if combining aerobic exercise with abdominal massage can help adults with chronic constipation feel better than just using abdominal massage alone.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 44 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Hacettepe University (other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Ankara and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06298331 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the combined effects of aerobic exercise and abdominal massage on patients suffering from functional constipation. It aims to determine whether this combination can provide greater relief than abdominal massage alone. Participants aged 18-65 diagnosed with chronic constipation will be randomly assigned to two groups: one receiving both aerobic exercise and abdominal massage, and the other receiving only abdominal massage. The interventions will be conducted over 8 weeks, with sessions both in-clinic and at home, alongside patient education on lifestyle changes for managing constipation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-65 with a diagnosis of functional constipation who have not received new treatments in the last three months.

Not a fit: Patients with secondary constipation, significant comorbidities, or those over 50 with alarm symptoms may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve bowel function and quality of life for patients with functional constipation.

How similar studies have performed: While there are studies on aerobic exercise and abdominal massage separately, this combined approach is novel and has not been previously tested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Being between the ages of 18-65
* Diagnosed with chronic constipation according to Rome IV criteria
* No new treatment for constipation in the last 3 months
* Absence of any condition that would prevent compliance with the interventions and assessments in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of secondary constipation ( uncontrolled metabolic disease (uncontrolled DM, hypothyroidism), hyperparathyroidism, neurologic disease or use of anticoagulants, anticholinergics, antihistamines, antipsychotics or opioids)
* In individuals over 50 years of age, the presence of alarm symptoms (new-onset constipation, rectal bleeding, involuntary weight loss, nausea and vomiting, fever and anemia)
* having BMI \> 30 kg/m²
* having cancer diagnosis
* being pregnant or breastfeeding, being within the first year postnatally
* having irritable Bowel Syndrome, Hirschprung's Disease, Crohn's Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Megacolon diagnosis, Megarectum diagnosis, Rectocele and enterocele stage 3 and above
* presence of advanced systemic disease (e.g. cardiovascular, respiratory, renal or hepatic diseases)
* history of abdomino-pelvic or gastrointestinal surgery in the last 6 months
* presence of open wound, disruption of skin integrity, local tumor, cholestomy or abdominal hernia at the massage site
* Presence of orthopedic (e.g. lumbopelvic pain, advanced knee joint degeneration) and cardiovascular diseases (e.g. acute coronary syndrome, stage 3-4 heart valve diseases) that may prevent aerobic exercise training

Where this trial is running

Ankara and 1 other locations

• Ceren Gursen — Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
• Hacettepe University — Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Serap ÖZGÜL, Prof — Hacettepe University, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
• Study coordinator: Serap Özgül, Prof

Conditions: Constipation, Functional Constipation, Chronic Constipation, Abdominal Massage, Self- abdominal Massage, Aerobic Exercise, Walking, Conservative Treatment