PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ACUPRESSURE AND ABDOMINAL MASSAGE IN IMPROVING FUNCTIONAL CONSTIPATION IN ELDERLY PATIENTS AT HUE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE HOSPITAL
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Functional constipation is common among older adults, but the effectiveness of acupressure and abdominal massage in improving symptoms and quality of life in this population remains unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of functional constipation and provide a preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of acupressure and massage therapy in improving constipation symptoms among elderly patients treated at Hue Traditional Medicine Hospital. Materials and methods: A prospective before-and-after study on 34 elderly patients diagnosed with functional constipation according to ROME IV criteria. Patients received acupressure and abdominal massage for 10 minutes once daily for 7 consecutive days. Results: Among 34 patients, most were ≥70 years old (70.6%), female (76.5%) and classified as Bristol Stool Form Scale type 2 (57.3%), with low physical activity, low fluid intake (<1.5 L/day), and infrequent fiber-rich food consumption. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi deficiency and Blood deficiency syndromes were predominant. After the intervention, constipation symptoms significantly improved (p < 0.05), and SF-36 scores for physical health, mental health, and overall quality of life increased significantly. Conclusions: Acupressure and massage therapy are safe, non-pharmacological treatments that have shown preliminary effectiveness in improving constipation symptoms and enhancing both physical and mental quality of life in elderly patients.
Keywords
Functional constipation, elderly, acupressure and abdominal massage, quality of life
Article Details
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