title: [Effects of carbonated water intake on constipation in elderly patients following a cerebrovascular accident].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was done to identify effects of carbonated water intake on constipation in elders who have experienced a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and are bed-ridden.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty elderly patients with CVA were randomly assigned to one of two groups in a double-blind study. Patients in the experimental group drank carbonated water and those in the control group drank tap water for two weeks. Six patients dropped out during the study period. Data were analyzed by repeated measured ANCOVA and the covariance was the dose of laxatives used for the two weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Frequency of defecation increased significantly and symptoms of constipation decreased significantly for patients in the experimental group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study results suggest that the intake of carbonated water is an effective method for the intervention of constipation in elderly patients with CVA.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Sillajen Co., Ltd., Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Mun
authors.forename: Seong Sook
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Jun
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002253:Carbonated Beverages; D002254:Carbonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003248:Constipation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004326:Drinking; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D002254:Carbonates; D054368:Laxatives