title: The effects of connective tissue manipulation and Kinesio Taping on chronic constipation in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of connective tissue manipulation (CTM) and Kinesio Taping®(KT) on constipation and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. Forty children diagnosed with chronic constipation based on Rome III criteria were randomly assigned to CTM group [6 females, 7 males; 8 y 6 mo (SD = 3y 4 mo)], KT group [7 female, 7 male; 8y 7 mo (SD =3y 5 mo)] or control group [6 female, 7 male; 8y 3 mo (SD = 3y 6 mo)]. All patients were assessed with 7-day bowel diaries, Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PEDsQL). Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon's signed-rank, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine intra-group and inter-group differences. The level of significance was p < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the CTM, KT, and control groups, there were statistically significant differences regarding the changes in defecation frequency (2.46, 3.00, 0.30, ES 1.16, p < 0.001), duration of defecation (5.07, 5.35, 0.15, ES 2.37, p = 0.003), BSFS (1.84, 2.14, 0.07, ES 0.91, p < 0.001), VAS (4.83, 3.87, 0.23, ES 1.98, p < 0.001), and PEDsQL total scores (7, 14, 8.36, -0.85, ES 4.08, p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed that CTM and KT seem equally effective physiotherapy approaches for the treatment of pediatric constipation and these approaches may be added to bowel rehabilitation program. Implications for rehabilitation CTM and KT have similar effectiveness in alleviating the constipation-related symptoms and improving quality of life in children with CP. CTM and KT can be integrated into bowel rehabilitation programs. Considering the characteristics of patients, these treatment options can be used as an alternative of each other by physiotherapists.
authors: a Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation , Hacettepe University , Ankara , Turkey.
authors: Ceren
authors: C
authors: Orhan
authors: a Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation , Hacettepe University , Ankara , Turkey.
authors: Ozgun
authors: O
authors: Kaya Kara
authors: a Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation , Hacettepe University , Ankara , Turkey.
authors: Serap
authors: S
authors: Kaya
authors: a Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation , Hacettepe University , Ankara , Turkey.
authors: Turkan
authors: T
authors: Akbayrak
authors: a Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation , Hacettepe University , Ankara , Turkey.
authors: Mintaze
authors: M
authors: Kerem Gunel
authors: a Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation , Hacettepe University , Ankara , Turkey.
authors: Gül
authors: G
authors: Baltaci
mesh_terms: D055052:Athletic Tape; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000503:physiopathology; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
keywords: Cerebral palsy; bowel rehabilitation; connective tissue massage; constipation; taping