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. 2019 Mar;53(3):216-219.
doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000001143.

Implementation of a Defecation Posture Modification Device: Impact on Bowel Movement Patterns in Healthy Subjects

Rohan M Modi  1 , Alice Hinton  2 , Daniel Pinkhas  1 , Royce Groce  3 , Marty M Meyer  3 , Gokulakrishnan Balasubramanian  3 , Edward Levine  3 , Peter P Stanich  3
Affiliations

Implementation of a Defecation Posture Modification Device: Impact on Bowel Movement Patterns in Healthy Subjects

Rohan M Modi et al. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2019 Mar.

Abstract

Goals: The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of defecation postural modification devices (DPMDs) on normal bowel patterns.

Background: The introduction of DPMDs has brought increased awareness to bowel habits in western populations.

Materials and methods: A prospective crossover study of volunteers was performed that included real-time collection of data regarding bowel movements (BMs) for 4 weeks (first 2 wk without DPMD and subsequent 2 wk with DPMD). Primary outcomes of interest included BM duration, straining, and bowel emptiness with and without DPMD use.

Results: In total, 52 participants (mean age, 29 y and 40.1% female) were recruited for this study. At baseline 15 subjects (28.8%) reported incomplete emptying, 23 subjects (44.2%) had increased straining, and 29 subjects (55.8%) noticed blood on their toilet paper in the past year. A total of 1119 BMs were recorded (735 without DPMD and 384 with DPMD). Utilizing the DPMD resulted in increased bowel emptiness (odds ratio, 3.64; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.78-4.77) and reduced straining patterns (odds ratio, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.18-0.30). Moreover, without the DPMD, participants had an increase in BM duration (fold increase, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.17-1.33).

Conclusions: DPMDs positively influenced BM duration, straining patterns, and complete evacuation of bowels in this study.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Defecation postural modification device demonstrating the change in anorectal angle. Copyright (Squatty Potty, LLC), (St. George, UT). All permission requests for this image should be made to the copyright holder.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Individual trends for emptiness (A), straining (B), and duration (C). Positive slopes are shown in gray with circles and those with a negative slope are black with triangles. DPMD indicates defecation postural modification device.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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