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The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of foot reflex massage on the constipation of high school dance majors. Data were gathered from July 13 to August 23, 2009. The subjects in this study were 21 juniors who majored in dance in B arts high school in the city of Busan. After 48 dance juniors were surveyed to find out whether they suffered from constipation, 21 constipated students were explained about the intent and purpose of the study, and they were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group with 10 and 11 respectively with their consent. A pretest was carried out to check their general characteristics, weight control and stipationrelated characteristics(CAS, frequency of evacuation and form of evacuation). Foot reflex massage was provided to the experimental group during a six-week period of time, twice a week, 30 minutes each, at 1 to 3.30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. which were respectively one hour after they had lunch and dinner. They received the massage 12 times in total. The collected data were analyzed with a SPSS(Statistical Package for Social Science) Ver. 12.0 program. A frequency analysis was conducted to obtain statistical data, and independent-samples t-test was utilized to see if the two groups were equivalent. Besides, one-way ANOVA was employed. The findings of the study were as follows: 1. There were no statistically significant gaps between the experimental and control groups in general characteristics, which showed that they could be said to be equivalent(p>.05). 2. The simple effect of the experiment was investigated to see if there were any significant changes in CAS with the lapse of time, and no significant change was found in CAS in the first week(F=.191, p>.05) and second week(F=1.755, p>.05) of the experiment. But they underwent significant changes in and after the third week(F=13.465, p<.01). And a significant change was found in the sixth week(F=125.857, p<.01) of the experiment as well. 3. The simple effect of the experiment was checked to look for any possible changes in evacuation frequency. There was no significant change in that regard in the first week(F=2/166. p>.05), but they started to undergo a significant change in the second week(F=58.488, p<.01) of the experiment, and a significant change was found in the final sixth week(F=287.557, p<.01) of the experiment as well. 4. Cross tabulation was utilized to look for any possible changes in the form of evacuation, and soft extrements accounted for 90 percent in the experimental group at first. But there was a significant change in the sixth week of the experiment as soft extrements represented 90 percent. In the case of the control group, hard extrements accounted for 36.4 percent before the experiment, and the rate of hard extrements stood at 90.0 percent in the sixth week of the experiment. Therefore it could be said that the constipation of the experimental group was relieved to some extent, and that the foot reflex massage provided to the experimental group had an effect on relieving their constipation. The above-mentioned findings made it clear that the foot reflex massage offered to the high school dance majors was partially effective at increasing their weekly evacuation frequency, lowering their CAS and improving their form of evaluation, and that it was consequently one of effective intervention methods to relieve constipation.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Chiropractic on constipation improvement for constipation patients with subluxation. The frequency and percentage were used for the data analysis, and the t-test and Chi-square test were used for the verification of subluxation and CAS. The research results were as follows. The average angle of L1 before Chiropractic was 2.61±0.72°, but it decreased to 0.62 ± 0.68° after Chiropractic, which shows that subluxation significantly (p<.001) improved by Chiropractic adjustment. According to the RomeⅡ diagnosis standards, the sum score of "Yes" was 41(57.0%) and "No" was 31(43.0%) before Chiropractic. However, after Chiropractic, "Yes" decreased to 20(27.8%) and "No" increased to 52(72.2%), which shows that constipation symptoms improved by 29.2% by Chiropractic. CAS score before and after Chiropractic were 16.42±1.98 and 11.92±0.79, respectively, which shows that constipation symptoms significantly(p<.001) reduced by Chiropractic. In conclusion, these results suggest that Chiropractic has a significant effect on constipation improvement for constipation patients with subluxation.

Purpose: This study synthesized the literature on constipation among Korean older adults in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Methods: This scoping review utilized the Joanna Briggs Institute protocol. We conducted a literature search using Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, PubMed, PsycINFO, Korean databases Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Studies Information Service System, and ScienceON. Two reviewers independently selected the studies and extracted their characteristics using pretested forms to determine the final inclusion. In total, 473 articles were identified, and eight were used for the final analysis. Results: Quasi-experimental design was the most common research design. Sex, age, state of mobility, admission periods, LTC classification, sleep satisfaction, depressive symptoms, diet type, daily fluid intake, and history of digestion were identified as factors related to constipation. The most widely used constipation measurement method is measuring the frequency of defecation per week. Massage is the most commonly used nursing intervention to relieve constipation. Conclusion: The diversification of research on constipation is necessary to improve the quality of life of older adults living in LTC facilities. Therefore, the use of reliable tools to determine constipation in older adults in LTC facilities should be expanded. There is a need to develop and implement diverse non- pharmacological interventions for older adults in LTC facilities. The results of this study are intended to serve as a basis for the development of constipation programs for Korean older adults in LTC facilities.

Constipation, which refers to difficulties in defecation and infrequent bowel movement in emptying the gastrointestinal system that ultimately produces hardened fecal matters, is a health concern in livestock and aging animals. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of dairy-isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains to alleviate constipation as an alternative therapeutic intervention for constipation treatment in the aging model. Rats were aged via daily subcutaneous injection of D-galactose (600 mg/body weight [kg]), prior to induction of constipation via oral administration of loperamide hydrochloride (5 mg/body weight [kg]). LAB strains (L. fermentum USM 4189 or L. plantarum USM 4187) were administered daily via oral gavage (1 × 10 Log CFU/day) while the control group received sterile saline. Aged rats as shown with shorter telomere lengths exhibited increased fecal bulk and soften fecal upon administration of LAB strains amid constipation as observed using the Bristol Stool Chart, accompanied by a higher fecal moisture content as compared to the control (p < 0.05). Fecal water-soluble metabolite profiles showed a reduced concentration of threonine upon administration of LAB strains compared to the control (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis also showed that the administration of LAB strains contributed to a higher colonic goblet cell count as compared to the control (p < 0.05). The present study illustrates the potential of dairy-sourced LAB strains as probiotics to ameliorate the adverse effect of constipation amid aging, and as a potential dietary intervention strategy for dairy foods including yogurt and cheese.

Objective To investigate the effects of the transabdominal functional magnetic stimulation (A-FMS) for constipation in stroke or brain-injured patients. Methods Twenty-four brain-injured patients (11 males and 13 females; median age, 65 years; 22 cases of stroke and 2 cases of traumatic brain injury) with constipation, who were admitted to the rehabilitation department, were enrolled and randomly divided into magnetic stimulation (MS) group and sham stimulation (Sham) group. Several parameters related with constipation such as total and segmental colon transit time (CTT), defecation frequency, and Bristol Stool Scale (BSS) before and after 2 weeks of A-FMS (5 times per week, total 10 times of A-FMS) were evaluated. The Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) was also evaluated. Results A significant decrease in segmental CTT in the left colon (-8.2±3.9 vs. 4.1±2.5 hours; p<0.05 by paired sample t-test) and a significant increase in the frequency of defecation (1.5±0.2 vs 0.7±0.3; p<0.05 by paired sample t-test) were observed in the MS group compared with the Sham group. Stool hardness became significantly softer in the MS group compared with the Sham group (2.3?3.5 in the MS and 2.6?3.1 in the Sham; p<0.05 by chi-square test) as evaluated by BSS. No difference in the K-MBI was observed between the two groups. Conclusion The present study suggests that A-FMS can be an additional therapeutic tool for managing constipation in brain-injured patients with abnormal bowel movement, defecation frequency, and stool hardness.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the degree of constipation, stress due to constipation, nutritional status and factors affecting constipation among community-dwelling elders. Methods: The participants were 94 elders from G city. Data were collected from September 6 to 17, 2019. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect data on general characteristics, degree of constipation, stress due to constipation, and nutritional status. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Spearman correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The average degree of constipation was 3.48±3.52 points and 36 elders(38.3%) reported constipation. Factors influencing the degree of constipation were subjective recognition of constipation (β=2.87, p<.001), nutritional status(β=-0.28, p=.018), and stress due to constipation (β=0.26, p=.024). These variables explained 33.1% of the degree of constipation. Conclusion: More than 30% of elders reported constipation. Subjective recognition about constipation, stress due to constipation, and nutritional status influenced the degree of constipation. Management programs for constipation prevention and constipation interventions should be developed for community-dwelling elders so that they can assess constipation and recognize it as a health problem. Also, programs should include ways to manage stress due to constipation and maintain good nutritional status.

This study explored the clinical effects and feasibility of an abdominopelvic rehabilitation program for functional constipation in patients with stroke. Three inpatients in the rehabilitation phase who met the Modified Rome IV and Constipation Assessment Scale criteria for functional constipation and had Mini-Mental State Examination scores ≥24 received a six-week program consisting of education, abdominal massage, diaphragmatic breathing, and abdominopelvic coordination exercises (30 min, twice weekly) delivered under a standardized protocol in addition to usual rehabilitation. Outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention by the same examiner using the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), the Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory-8 (CRADI-8), and the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) questionnaire, selected to capture stool form, pelvic floor–related defecatory difficulty, and constipation-related quality of life, respectively. After the program, all participants showed a shift in BSFS from constipation-type stools to the normal range (types 3 and 4), marked reductions in CRADI-8 scores, and significant improvements in PAC-QOL total scores, satisfying the predefined MCID thresholds for all three measures. The participants also reported relief from evacuation delays and incomplete emptying, with a tendency toward shorter defecation times. These findings suggest that a conservative abdominopelvic rehabilitation program integrating education, abdominal stimulation, breathing, and neuromuscular coordination can improve stool form, pelvic floor–related defecatory difficulty, and constipation-related quality of life in stroke patients and can be implemented feasibly within routine inpatient rehabilitation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the occurrences and the factors contributing to constipation inthe post surgical period following major orthopedic surgery. Methods: The sample included 133 patients who hadsurgery of the hip, knee, or spine. Patients were excluded from the study if there was a history of bowel surgeryor constipation from chart review. Data were collected using questionnaires such as Korean version of ModifiedBarthel index (K-MBI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS) beforesurgery and on the third postoperative day. Results: Reports of constipation occurred in 77 instances (57.9%). Thefirst reported defecation was within 4.0±2.2 days following surgery. Mean days of first defecation of constipationgroup vs. non-constipation group was 5.5±1.7 days vs. 2.1±1.0 days. There were statistically significant differencesbetween patients who reported than those who did not in terms of age, length of NPO period, postoperativeADL, and the reported incidents of preoperative and postoperative depressive symptoms. Postoperative ADL,age, and NPO period were significant influencing factors of constipation and explained 52.4% of the variance. Conclusion: Constipation is a very common symptom for patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. These resultsindicate a need for improving patient’s ADL after surgery to prevent constipation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine nurses’ knowledge of constipation and nursing activities for older patients and to identify nurse characteristics differentiating knowledge and activities. Methods: Data were gathered through a questionnaire survey of 200 nurses from 29 hospitals with more than 150 beds. Cronbach's ? was .623 for constipation knowledge and .806 for nursing activities. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Duncan test. Results: Average percentage of correct answer was 64.0% with the highest percentage (78.3%) in the area of causative factors. Of nursing activities for constipation, 91% of the nurses reported that keeping a daily elimination record and assessing patient status were performed frequently. Total score of knowledge differed significantly by hospital size, experience of education, use of resources, and interest about nursing activities for constipation in older patients. The frequency of nursing activities was significantly different according to nurses' interests in nursing activities for older patients with constipation. Conclusion: The study findings indicate that in-service training programs should be developed to increase constipation knowledge and performance of nursing activities to alleviate constipation among older patients in long-term care hospitals. Administrative support is also required to increase nursing time for patient care

Objectives: The study investigated constipation in male and female high school students and in order to provide data base for development of education and intervention programs aimed at preventing and managing constipation in high school students. Methods: The study used a technique of convenience sampling to mobilize the entire students in an academic high school in D region. Of the combined 360 copies of questionnaire distributed, 340 copies were collected and used for the final analysis. The gathered data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, and χ2-test in SPSS 21. Results: The ratio of female students with constipation is significantly higher than that of male students with the condition(χ2=5.73, p=0.017), and there were significant differences in exercise habits(χ2=26.75, p<0.001), eating habits(χ2=43.19, p<0.001), and bowel habits(χ2=22.96, p<0.001) between female students and male students. Also there was significant difference in water intake between the normal group and the constipation group(χ2=10.01, p=0.040). Significant differences between the two groups were also discovered in the level of perception of constipation(χ2=98.76, p<0.001), bowel movement time(χ2=15.74, p=0.008), and use of laxatives(χ2=17.68, p<0.001) and enema(χ2=16.97, p<0.001) for constipation relief. Conclusions: To prevent and manage constipation in high school students, education about healthy dietary, and bowel habits is required. Also there is an urgent need to improve the school toilet environment in order to respect the rights of students to void or defecate when necessary, a process which will require involvement of students, teachers, and other school staff.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify factors affecting the constipation of the elderly at nursing homes. Method: A total of 184 elders at 7 nursing homes in P City participated. Information about constipation status (Constipation Assessment Scale), functional status (Katz' Activities of Daily Living), nutritional status (Mini-Nutritional Assessment), and depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form Korea version) were collected through interviews. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and t-test were used to describe and compare the non constipation group and the constipation group. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors affecting constipation status. Results: The prevalence of constipation was 47.5% (Men 37%, women 51%). Elders suffering from a disease (P=.021) and having low sleep satisfaction (P=.000) were more likely to be constipated than those who did not. The factors affecting the constipation of the elderly at nursing homes were gender (OR=3.558), sleep satisfaction (OR=.580), and depressive symptoms (OR=1.132). Conclusion: According to the result, to reduce the constipation rate of old women at nursing homes, we have to develop guidelines that can solve problems related to constipation cause by sleep-satisfaction and depressive symptoms.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of abdominal moxibustion on constipation, quality of sleep, and depression in elders. Methods: This study was conducted with a nonequivalent control group pretest- posttest design. Data collection was conducted from February 23 to April 5, 2015. Participants were 66 older individuals who were recruited from two senior welfare centers for homebound elders in B metropolitan city. Thirty six participants were assigned to the experimental group and 30 to the control group. Collected data were analyzed for changes in constipation, quality of sleep, and depression between pre and post abdominal moxibustion. Data were analyzed using x2 test, independent sample t-test, Sapiro-Wilk test, and repeated measures ANOVA with the SPSS 22.0 Windows program. Results: There was a significant increase in the frequency of bowel movements per week and a decrease on the constipation assessment scale. Additionally, the quality of sleep increased and depression decreased between pre and post abdominal moxibustion. Conclusion: Abdominal moxibustion was effective in changing the degree of constipation, increasing quality of sleep, and decreasing depression. Therefore, it is an effective intervention for use with Elders.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to develop the constipation assessment tool for identifying their bowel movement patterns, and to provide basic information for the assessment and intervention protocol on constipation for patients with terminal cancers. Methods: The study followed the steps: the first step was to build a conceptual framework based on literature review; the second step was to develop a tentative instrument by analyzing the conceptual framework and existing instruments; the third step was to test content validity and reliability; and the final step was to apply the tool to patients with terminal cancers (N=112). Results: The constipation assessment tool was consisted of total nine items; under the categories of subjective and objective data for diagnosis had 4 items, and under the initial assessment category which includes stool type, physical examination, and abdomen X-ray had 5 items. Conclusion: The constipation assessment tool developed in this study is very easy to use and useful in nursing practice, especially in hospice and palliative care setting. Particularly this tool has items on patient assessment which would be considered as an evidence for choosing nursing interventions. Based on the constipation assessment tool, the development and application of intervention protocol on constipation for patients with terminal cancers is warranted in future research.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether hand press pellet is effective for constipation in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study that used non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Participants were 52 breast cancer patients-26 each in the experimental and control groups. The intervention was conducted thrice a week for 6 weeks; for the experimental group, a hand press pellet was applied to the corresponding points (A1, A5, A8, A12, A16, N18, E22, K9, F6, D2, D6, H2, L4, B7, B19) of the left hand (palm and back) to alleviate constipation. Three and 6 weeks after the intervention, outcomes were measured by using the Constipation Assessment Scale, Bristol Stool Form Scale, and Patient Assessment of Constipation-Quality of Life questionnaire. Results: A significant difference was observed between the two groups on the Constipation Assessment Scale (x 2 =44.38, p

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to verify the effects of Sea tangle pellet(fiber supplements) on the constipation of institutionalized aged. Method: This study was conducted from September to December 2007 and a nonequivalent pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used. Data were collected using interviews, questionnaires and observational measurement including frequency of bowel movements, stool color, straining, abdominal discomfort/pain and change of symptoms before and during supplementation. Forty-six subjects were divided into two groups, a control group and an experimental group: The experimental group received 4g/day of Sea tangle pellet for 4 weeks. Data were analyzed by repeated measures of ANOVA using the SPSS program. Results: Aged in the experimental group had a significant improvement in frequency of defecation, straining, abdominal discomfort/pain and changes in symptoms compared to those in the control group. Conclusion: In institutionalized aged with constipation, fiber suppplements using Sea tangle pellets significantly improved constipation related symptoms without serious side effect.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of meridian acupressure on constipation in bed-ridden aged inpatients. Methods: The research design was a non-synchronized non-equivalent control group pretestposttest design. The subjects consisted of 28 bed-ridden aged inpatients. Meridian acupressure was administered to the experimental group at 30 minutes before breakfast every morning for two weeks. Each meridian was pressured for 10 seconds, 10 times. The frequency of defecation and stool form were examined every day. The data was analyzed by the x2-test, Fisher's exact test, t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The experimental group given Meridian Acupressure had a higher frequency of defecation(F = 59.372, p = .000) and normal stool(F = 46.046, p = .000) than the control group. Conclusion: The results suggest that Meridian Acupressure was an effective method for the relief of constipation for bed-ridden aged inpatients. A follow -up research is needed to validate that other patients with constipation can use the Meridian Acupressure as a non-invasive nursing intervention instead of a laxative or enema.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review the literature on constipation intervention in Korean nursing research and to explore the effect of constipation intervention Methods: This systematic review examined literature from 2007 to 2016. The existing literature was searched in the electronic database of RISS and KISS. After the exclusion of duplicates, correlational research, literature review, and irrelevant studies, Twenty-fourth studies were included for analysis. Results: The quasi-experimental designs were the most common form of research designs. Subjects of constipation intervention studies were demonstrated that patients were 58.3% while heathy person were 41.7%. The medical diagnoses of the study participants were stroke, cerebral palsy, orthopedic patient, elderly inpatient and so on. Nursing intervention methods for constipation were meridian therapy, physical treatment therapy and physiologic mechanism utilize therapy. Outcome variables were physical, psychosomatic and physiolgical variables related to constipation. Conclusion: The results of this study can provide useful information for the development of nursing interventions on constipation. Systematic literature review or meta-analysis is needed in this area.