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. 2023 Jul 7;9(7):e18098.
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18098. eCollection 2023 Jul.

Analysis of the efficacy of abdominal massage on functional constipation: A meta-analysis

Xinxin Gu  1 , Lei Zhang  1 , Haiguang Yuan  2 , Min Zhang  1
Affiliations

Analysis of the efficacy of abdominal massage on functional constipation: A meta-analysis

Xinxin Gu et al. Heliyon. .

Abstract

Background: Constipation is a digestive disorder with a high global prevalence, with approximately 20-25% of the population suffering from constipation, and the majority of constipated patients experience functional constipation (FC). Although abdominal massage is an effective intervention, there is a lack of analysis of the efficacy of abdominal massage in the treatment of functional constipation. Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of abdominal massage in the treatment of functional constipation.

Methods: A computerized retrieval of randomized controlled trials on abdominal massage for functional constipation was conducted on China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, Cochrane Database, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science until October 1, 2022. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software after the initial screening and re-screening of the literature.

Results: A total of 13 papers involving 830 patients were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that abdominal massage had better efficacy in the treatment of functional constipation. Constipated patients in the treatment group showed greater improvement in the frequency of defecation, difficulty in defecation, stool properties, and PAC-QOL scores than those in the control group. The SMD/MD values and 95% CI of each score were: SMD = 1.05, 95%CI (0.63,1.46); SMD = -1.51, 95%CI (-2.35,-0.68); SMD = 0.95, 95%CI (0.31,1.59); MD = -13.24, 95%CI (-25.83, -0.65).

Conclusion: Abdominal massage can increase the frequency of defecation, reduce the symptoms of difficulty in defecation, improve stool properties, and positively affect the quality of life of patients with constipation. Hence, abdominal massage therapy shows definite therapeutic efficacy for functional constipation, providing a more specific plan for clinical treatment.

Keywords: Abdominal massage; Functional constipation; Meta-analysis; Other therapies.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Literature screening process and results.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Risk of bias. A: graph; B: summary.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Meta-analysis comparing the defecation frequency between the two groups.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Subgroup analysis of defecation frequency in functional constipation patients treated with abdominal massage using laxatives and not using laxatives.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Meta-analysis comparing the quality of life between two groups of constipated patients.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Subgroup analysis of PAC-QOL in functional constipation patients treated with abdominal massage using laxatives and not using laxatives.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Meta-analysis comparing different dimensions of PAC-QOL between the two groups.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Meta-analysis comparing the total scores of the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS) between the two groups.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Subgroup analysis of CAS in functional constipation patients treated with abdominal massage using laxatives and not using laxatives.
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
Meta-analysis comparing the constipation severity between the two groups.
Fig. 11
Fig. 11
Meta-analysis comparing the difficulty in defecation between the two groups.
Fig. 12
Fig. 12
Meta-analysis comparing the stool properties between the two groups.
Fig. 13
Fig. 13
Meta-analysis comparing the duration of defecation between the two groups.
Fig. 14
Fig. 14
Meta-analysis comparing the sense of incomplete defecation between the two groups.
Fig. 15
Fig. 15
Meta-analysis comparing the scores of abdominal distension between the two groups.
Fig. 16
Fig. 16
Meta-analysis comparing the scores of pain between two groups.
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