Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2023 Mar 1;118(3):531-538.
doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001986. Epub 2022 Sep 1.

Effects of Bowel Training and Defecation Posture on Chronic Constipation in Older Adults With Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Tomoyoshi Naito  1 , Mieko Nakamura  2 , Mizue Suzuki  1 , Toshiyuki Ojima  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of Bowel Training and Defecation Posture on Chronic Constipation in Older Adults With Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Tomoyoshi Naito et al. Am J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic constipation (CC), which can cause behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of dementia and related caregiver distress, is common in older adults admitted to care facilities with dementia. This study aimed to examine the effect of defecation care on CC and related problems.

Methods: This study compared bowel training and defecation posture intervention (intervention group) with general care (control group) as the treatment of CC among older adults with dementia in 6 long-term care facilities. The primary outcomes were the number of spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) and complete SBMs. The secondary outcomes were Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life Questionnaire, Constipation Scoring System, constipation symptoms, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory Nursing Home Version scores. The differences were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA with repeated measures.

Results: The data of 30 patients (14 in the intervention group, 16 in the control group) were analyzed. Weekly mean complete SBMs increased from 0.53 times at baseline to 1.58 times at 8 weeks in the intervention group compared with a change from 0.56 to 0.43 times in the control group (interaction P < 0.001). The Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life Questionnaire, Constipation Scoring System, behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of dementia, and caregiver distress scores showed significant improvement after 8 weeks of defecation care intervention.

Discussion: Defecation care, including bowel training and appropriate defecation posture, is effective for CC among older adults with dementia, improving patient mental health and reducing burden on caregivers.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Mearin F, Lacy BE, Chang L, et al. Bowel disorders. Gastroenterology 2016;150:1393–407.
    1. Lamas K, Karlsson S, Nolen A, et al. Prevalence of constipation among persons living in institutional geriatric-care settings-a cross-sectional study. Scand J Caring Sci 2017;31:157–63.
    1. Fosnes GS, Lydersen S, Farup PG. Drugs and constipation in elderly in nursing homes: What is the relation? Gastroenterol Res Pract 2012;2012:290231.
    1. Takaoka M, Igarashi A, Futami A, et al. Management of constipation in long-term care hospitals and its ward manager and organization factors. BMC Nurs 2020;19:5.
    1. Celayir MF, Koksal HM, Uludag M. Stercoral perforation of the rectosigmoid colon due to chronic constipation: A case report. Int J Surg Case Rep 2017;40:39–42.

Publication types

Associated data

LinkOut - more resources