title: Electromechanical abdominal massage and colonic function in individuals with a spinal cord injury and chronic bowel problems.
abstract: METHODS
  A prospective intervention of noninvasive abdominal massage using an electromechanical apparatus on bowel function in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of noninvasive abdominal massage using an electromechanical apparatus on bowel function in individuals with SCI and chronic bowel problems. This easy-to-use apparatus can be applied by the patients at home without the help of a therapist.
  
  
  METHODS
  Homes of community-living individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one subjects with SCI were instructed to use the massage apparatus daily for 20 min during a 10-week period. Compliance, effects, side effects and user satisfaction were assessed using questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen subjects completed the 10-week period. Although some characteristics of defecation changed positively for some of the subjects (time to result, amount, consistency), none felt better or more confident after using the massage device. In addition, some individuals experienced negative side effects (predominantly pain or discomfort). The overall satisfaction with the device is ambiguous, with half of the group judging the device as insufficient and the other half as at least adequate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of an electromechanical massage device does not improve bowel function in most individuals with SCI who have chronic bowel problems. Why some subjects benefit and others do not should be investigated in future studies.
authors.affiliation: 1] Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center | Reade, Amsterdam, The Netherlands [2] MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T W J
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.affiliation: Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center | Reade, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Prakken
authors.affiliation: Dutch Spinal Cord Injury Organization, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J M S
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hendriks
authors.affiliation: Dutch Spinal Cord Injury Organization, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lourens
authors.affiliation: 1] Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center | Reade, Amsterdam, The Netherlands [2] MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van der Vlist
authors.affiliation: Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center | Reade, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: C A J
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Smit
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome