title: Effectiveness of individualised intervention on older residents with constipation in nursing home: a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop and examine the effectiveness of individualised intervention to reduce constipation among older adults in nursing homes.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In long-term care facilities, approximately 60-80% of the residents have symptoms of constipation. Constipation may lead to haemorrhoids, faecal impaction, ulcers, intestinal bleeding and can also lead to a decrease in quality of life. Although a high prevalence of constipation in older adults can be seen, there is a lack of empirical evidence for delivering interventions based on individual risk factors of constipation. Many factors cause constipation but the risk factors are different for each individual.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, randomised control trial conducted in northern Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nursing home residents (n = 43) were randomly assigned to either the control group or the experimental group. The control group received no extra care from the researcher while the experimental group received an individualised intervention and an eight-week follow-up. Participants were assessed using the Bristol Stool Form Scale, the Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms, types and dosages of laxative, and bowel sound observations. Data were taken at baseline, four weeks as well as eight weeks after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participants in the experimental group had a significantly higher increase in the frequency of defecation (group effect, p = 0·029) and in bowel sounds (interaction effect, p = 0·010) compared to those in the control group. However, the two groups did not differ significantly in symptoms and the severity of the constipation symptoms, Bristol Stool Form and use of laxatives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this trial suggest that the individualised intervention may be appropriate for decreasing constipation among nursing home residents and encourage further study and confirmation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using individualised intervention to enhance the self-care ability related to constipation among older adults is recommended.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.|Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tzu-Ting
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shu-Di
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Hsia
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yen-Fan
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Bi-Hwa
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pei-Kwei
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Tsay
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D057285:Precision Medicine; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D054368:Laxatives
keywords: constipation; individualised intervention; nursing home residents