اثر استخدام كيس الماء الحار وتقنية الضغط في الامساك لدى المرضى المصابين بالجلطة الدماغية : دراسة مقارنة

Effect of Using Hot Water Bag and Acupressure Technique in Constipation among Patients with Stroke :A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: Constipation is a common concern after stroke. Patients with constipation usually strain to eliminate stool, which increases the risk of another stroke. This study aims to determine effect of hot water bag on constipation and compares the effect of hot water-bag and acupressure technique in constipation among patient with stroke.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted from 1st October 2023 to 30th June 2024 at Imam Al-Hussein Medical City and Imam Al-Hassan Al- Mujtaba Hospital, a purposive sample involving 88 stroke patients divided into three groups: hot water-bag (n=30), acupressure (n=30), and control (n=28). The hot water-bag group applied a hot water-bag to the abdomen four times daily for three days, while the acupressure group received instruction on applying pressure to specific points (LI4, LI3, SJ6) for three minutes each point, twice a day, for three days. The control group received conventional care. Data collection tools included patients’ demographics and clinical data, Wexner constipation questionnaire, and constipation assessment scale. The study results were examined using both a descriptive analysis and an inferential analysis procedure (e.g., independent sample t-test, paired sample t-test, and one-way ANOVA); a p-value of <0.05 was detected to be statistically significant.
Results: Before the intervention, 92.9% of patients in the control group, 96.7% of patient in the hot water-bag group, and 100% of patient in the acupressure group had severe constipation. Post-intervention, these findings changed to 0.0% for the hot water-bag and acupressure groups and 92.9% for the control group. Significant differences were observed between pre- and post-intervention assessments in hot water-bag group and acupressure technique groups at p-value (p=0.000). However, there was no significant difference between the hot water-bag and acupressure groups in reducing constipation at p- value (p=0.136).
Conclusion: Both acupressure and hot water-bag application are effective in improving bowel movements in stroke patients with constipation. These non-invasive techniques can be considered as complementary therapies for managing this common post-stroke complication. Moreover, patients with stroke who experience constipation respond similarly to hot water-bag and acupressure technique.