Nursing Practices in Constipation Symptom Management: Systematic Review

Résumé fourni par la source

Aim: This systematic review was conducted to examine studies evaluating the effects of non-pharmacological interventions used in individuals experiencing constipation.Methods: The study population consisted of 1151 articles, with 23 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. The review followed PRISMA-P guidelines. Literature searches were performed in PUBMED, Science Direct, CINAHL, and the Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK) Thesis Database using the keywords “constipation,” “symptom management,” and “nursing care.” The search was limited to studies published in the last five years; however, YÖK theses published within the last twelve years were also included. Studies available in full text and published in English or Turkish were eligible.Results: Non-pharmacological interventions were categorized into five groups: abdominal massage, reflexology, auricular applications (acupressure/massage), aromatherapy massage, and transcutaneous electrical stimulation. Their frequency in the included studies was as follows: abdominal massage 56.5%, auricular applications 21.7%, reflexology 17.4%, aromatherapy massage 8.7%, and transcutaneous electrical stimulation 4.3%. Abdominal massage increased defecation frequency and reduced abdominal distension; reflexology regulated bowel movements; auricular applications and electrical stimulation reduced symptom severity, particularly in elderly and chemotherapy patients. Aromatherapy massage positively influenced bowel function by providing psychological and physiological relaxation.Conclusion: Non-pharmacological nursing interventions are effective, safe and feasible for managing constipation symptoms. Integrating these practices into clinical care may improve patient outcomes. Further studies with larger samples and long-term follow-up are needed to provide stronger evidence of their effectiveness.

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