ConstipationNCT07344532
Effect of Preoperative Abdominal Effleurage on Postoperative Constipation
A study testing Abdominal Superficial Effleurage Training in people with Constipation and Abdominal Surgery, run by Ege University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effect of preoperative abdominal superficial effleurage training on the development of postoperative constipation in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Constipation, Abdominal Surgery, Postoperative Constipation
- What is being tested?
- Abdominal Superficial Effleurage Training
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 42 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 10 Mar 2026to 10 Jul 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients scheduled to undergo abdominal surgery
- Patients who are able to communicate verbally
- Patients who agree to participate in the study and provide written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Patients with preoperative constipation
- Patients with known gastrointestinal diseases affecting bowel motility
- Patients who are unable to perform abdominal superficial effleurage
- Patients with cognitive impairment or communication difficulties
- Patients who refuse to participate in the study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Preoperative Abdominal Superficial Effleurage Training on the Development of Postoperative Constipation in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effect of preoperative abdominal superficial effleurage training on the development of postoperative constipation in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group receiving abdominal superficial effleurage training in addition to routine care or to a control group receiving routine care only. The effleurage technique will be taught preoperatively and performed by patients postoperatively. Postoperative constipation will be assessed on the 10th postoperative day using the Bristol Stool Form Scale. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to non-pharmacological nursing interventions for the prevention of postoperative constipation.
Read the detailed description
Postoperative constipation is a common complication following abdominal surgery and may negatively affect patient comfort, recovery, and quality of life. Non-pharmacological nursing interventions that support bowel motility are therefore of increasing interest in perioperative care. Abdominal superficial effleurage is a gentle massage technique applied to the abdominal surface and is thought to stimulate intestinal peristalsis and promote bowel function.
This prospective, randomized controlled study will be conducted with patients scheduled to undergo abdominal surgery. A total of 42 patients will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=21) or the control group (n=21) using a computer-generated randomization method. Patients in the intervention group will receive preoperative training on abdominal superficial effleurage in addition to routine clinical care, while patients in the control group will receive routine clinical care only. To minimize interaction between groups, data from the control group will be collected prior to the intervention group.
Abdominal superficial effleurage will be taught during the preoperative period and performed by patients postoperatively. The technique involves gentle stroking movements starting from the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and progressing toward the left lower quadrant. Each session will last approximately five minutes and will be performed one to three times daily during periods when the patient is not experiencing pain. Postoperative constipation will be evaluated on the 10th postoperative day through a telephone interview using the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Study data will be analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
- Conditions
- Constipation, Abdominal Surgery, Postoperative Constipation
- Being tested
- Abdominal Superficial Effleurage Training
- Keywords
- Postoperative Constipation, Abdominal Surgery, Abdominal Effleurage, Non-Pharmacological Intervention
- Medical subject headings
- Constipation
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Abdominal Superficial Effleurage TrainingBehavioural
Abdominal superficial effleurage is a gentle abdominal massage technique involving stroking movements from the right upper quadrant toward the left lower quadrant of the abdomen. Participants will be trained preoperatively to perform the technique, which will take approximately five minutes per session and will be performed one to three times daily postoperatively during pain-free periods.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Abdominal Superficial Effleurage Group | Experimental | Participants in this group will receive preoperative training on abdominal superficial effleurage in addition to routine clinical care. Following surgery, patients will perform the effleurage technique for approximately five minutes, one to three times daily, during periods without pain. Receives: Behavioral: Abdominal Superficial Effleurage Training |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants in the control group will receive routine clinical care only and will not receive abdominal superficial effleurage training during the study period. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Postoperative Constipation
Postoperative constipation will be assessed using the Bristol Stool Form Scale through a telephone interview conducted on the 10th postoperative day. Stool types 1 and 2 will be considered indicative of constipation.
Measured: 10 days postoperatively
Secondary outcomes (1)
Stool Consistency
Stool consistency will be evaluated using the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), a 7-point validated scale ranging from Type 1 (separate hard lumps, indicating severe constipation) to Type 7 (watery, no solid pieces, indicating severe diarrhea). Higher scores indicate looser stool consistency and a tendency toward diarrhea.
Measured: 10 days postoperatively
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Jan 2026
- Study start10 Mar 2026
- Primary completion10 May 2026
- Study completion10 Jul 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for ConstipationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Ege UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving preoperative abdominal superficial effleurage training in addition to routine care or a control group receiving routine care only.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ege University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mehmet Ozkeskin, Ege University
- Investigators
- Mehmet Ozkeskin, PhD, Principal investigator, Ege University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07344532
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MOzkeskin7126
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 7 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 7 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Preoperative Abdominal Superficial Effleurage Training on the Development of Postoperative Constipation in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07344532
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MOzkeskin7126
- Conditions
- Constipation, Abdominal Surgery, Postoperative Constipation
- Keywords
- Postoperative Constipation, Abdominal Surgery, Abdominal Effleurage, Non-Pharmacological Intervention
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Ege UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 10 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effect of preoperative abdominal superficial effleurage training on the development of postoperative constipation in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group receiving abdominal superficial effleurage training in addition to routine care or to a control group receiving routine care only. The effleurage technique will be taught preoperatively and performed by patients postoperatively. Postoperative constipation will be assessed on the 10th postoperative day using the Bristol Stool Form Scale. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to non-pharmacological nursing interventions for the prevention of postoperative constipation.
Detailed description
Postoperative constipation is a common complication following abdominal surgery and may negatively affect patient comfort, recovery, and quality of life. Non-pharmacological nursing interventions that support bowel motility are therefore of increasing interest in perioperative care. Abdominal superficial effleurage is a gentle massage technique applied to the abdominal surface and is thought to stimulate intestinal peristalsis and promote bowel function.
This prospective, randomized controlled study will be conducted with patients scheduled to undergo abdominal surgery. A total of 42 patients will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=21) or the control group (n=21) using a computer-generated randomization method. Patients in the intervention group will receive preoperative training on abdominal superficial effleurage in addition to routine clinical care, while patients in the control group will receive routine clinical care only. To minimize interaction between groups, data from the control group will be collected prior to the intervention group.
Abdominal superficial effleurage will be taught during the preoperative period and performed by patients postoperatively. The technique involves gentle stroking movements starting from the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and progressing toward the left lower quadrant. Each session will last approximately five minutes and will be performed one to three times daily during periods when the patient is not experiencing pain. Postoperative constipation will be evaluated on the 10th postoperative day through a telephone interview using the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Study data will be analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving preoperative abdominal superficial effleurage training in addition to routine care or a control group receiving routine care only.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Abdominal Superficial Effleurage Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Abdominal Superficial Effleurage TrainingParticipants in this group will receive preoperative training on abdominal superficial effleurage in addition to routine clinical care. Following surgery, patients will perform the effleurage technique for approximately five minutes, one to three times daily, during periods without pain. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants in the control group will receive routine clinical care only and will not receive abdominal superficial effleurage training during the study period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Patients scheduled to undergo abdominal surgery
- Patients who are able to communicate verbally
- Patients who agree to participate in the study and provide written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Patients with preoperative constipation
- Patients with known gastrointestinal diseases affecting bowel motility
- Patients who are unable to perform abdominal superficial effleurage
- Patients with cognitive impairment or communication difficulties
- Patients who refuse to participate in the study
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Abdominal Superficial Effleurage TrainingAbdominal superficial effleurage is a gentle abdominal massage technique involving stroking movements from the right upper quadrant toward the left lower quadrant of the abdomen. Participants will be trained preoperatively to perform the technique, which will take approximately five minutes per session and will be performed one to three times daily postoperatively during pain-free periods. | Behavioural | Abdominal Superficial Effleurage Group |
Primary outcome
Postoperative Constipation
Time frame: 10 days postoperatively
Postoperative constipation will be assessed using the Bristol Stool Form Scale through a telephone interview conducted on the 10th postoperative day. Stool types 1 and 2 will be considered indicative of constipation.
1 secondary outcome
Stool Consistency
Time frame: 10 days postoperatively
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Mehmet Ozkeskin, PhD principal investigator
Ege University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Abdominal Superficial Effleurage Training in people with Constipation and Abdominal Surgery, run by Ege University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Postoperative Constipation (time frame: 10 days postoperatively). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Jul 2026.