title: Osteopathic management of chronic constipation in women patients. Results of a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Constipation is a common problem in western countries. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for the treatment of constipated women with functional constipation (FC) or defeation disorders (DD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one constipated females referred to a tertiary center were recruited. A course of OMT, weekly for four weeks, was given. Clinical questionnaire, Bristol stool form scale and patients' subjective perception of constipation, bloating and abdominal pain, were recorded. Total and segmental colonic transit time (CTT) were performed before and after OMT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven patients had FC and 10 DD, as defined by Rome III criteria. After OMT, the Knowless Eccersley Scott Symptom score (P=0.020), the oro-anal transit time (P=0.002), the right (P=0.005) and left (P=0.009) CTT had decreased while the stool frequency (P=0.005) and the Bristol Stool Form scale (P=0.003) had increased. After OMT, the intensity of constipation, and the Patient assessment of constipation symptoms score did not change but a decrease of abdominal pain, bloating, quality of life score and drug use was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows OMT has potential benefit for treating functional constipation in women. Further randomised trials are required to confirm these results.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Avicenne Hospital, 93000 Bobigny, France.
authors.forename: Aurélie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belvaux
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Avicenne Hospital, 93000 Bobigny, France; Physiology Department, université René Descartes, Paris V, 75270 Paris, France. Electronic address: michel.bouchoucha@avc.aphp.fr.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bouchoucha
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Avicenne Hospital, 93000 Bobigny, France.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Benamouzig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D026301:Manipulation, Osteopathic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult