title: An examination of the effect of castor oil packs on constipation in the elderly.
abstract: This research, conducted at two rest homes in Manisa, Turkey, was undertaken to examine the effect of castor oil pack (COP) administrations on constipation in the elderly. Study participants were monitored for 7 days before, 3 days during, and 4 days after COP administration utilizing the Recall Bias and Visual Scale Analog (RB-VSAQ) as well as the Standard Diary developed by Pamuk et al. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks, Repeated Measures, Bonferroni, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for data analysis. Eighty percent of study subjects had been constipated for 10 years or longer. COP administration did not have an effect on the number of bowel movements or amount of feces, but decreased the feces consistency score, straining during defecation and feeling of complete evacuation after a bowel movement, thus decreasing symptoms of constipation. We conclude that COP may be used for controlling symptoms of constipation.
authors.affiliation: Manisa School of Health, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey. ggrolarslan@gmail.com
authors.forename: Gülşah Gürol
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Arslan
authors.forename: Ismet
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Eşer
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002368:Castor Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005243:Feces; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012278:Ricinus / Q000737:chemistry; D012677:Sensation
chemical_list: D002368:Castor Oil