Increasing daily water intake and fluid adherence in children receiving treatment for retentive encopresis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the efficacy of an enhanced intervention (EI) compared to standard care (SC) in increasing daily water intake and fluid goal adherence in children seeking treatment for retentive encopresis.


METHODS
Changes in beverage intake patterns and fluid adherence were examined by comparing 7-week diet diary data collected during participation in the EI to achieved data for families who had previously completed the SC.


RESULTS
Compared to children in SC (n = 19), children in the EI (n = 18) demonstrated a significantly greater increase in daily water intake from baseline to the conclusion of treatment ( p ≤ .001), and were four and six times more likely to meet fluid targets in Phases 1 (Weeks 3-4) and 2 (Weeks 5-6) of fluid intervention, respectively (both p ≤ .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Enhanced education and behavioral strategies were efficacious in increasing children's intake of water and improving fluid adherence. Future research should replicate the findings in a prospective randomized clinical trial to discern their effectiveness.
Kuhl
Elizabeth S
ES
Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, USA. elizabeth.kuhl@cchmc.org
Hoodin
Flora
F
Rice
Jennifer
J
Felt
Barbara T
BT
Rausch
Joseph R
JR
Patton
Susana R
SR
D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003248:Constipation / Q000628:therapy*; D015930:Diet Records; D004327:Drinking Behavior; D004688:Encopresis / Q000628:therapy*; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group