• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.247-255
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was done to evaluate the effects of 3 times/week and 5 times/week abdominal meridian massage with aroma oils (AMMAO) on the relief of constipation among hospitalized children with disabilities involving the brain lesions (cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and others). Methods: The participants were 33 hospitalized children with a disability involving the brain (15 were in the 5 times/week of AMMAO group and 18 were in the 3 times/week of AMMAO group). Data were collected from March 21 to May 1, 2011. Chi-square test, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS 18.0 were used to evaluate the effects of AMMAO. Results: While there was no significant difference between the two groups, there was a significant difference within groups between baseline and the end of the intervention period for the following, frequency of suppository use or enemas, amount of stool, and number of bowel movements. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that AMMAO is an effective nursing intervention in relief of constipation for hospitalized children with a disability involving the brain. Therefore it is recommended that AMMAO be used in clinical practice as an effective nursing intervention for relief of constipation to these children.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.326-331
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• 2008

This study investigated the effects of dietary slander glasswort extract on improvements in bowel function and constipation relief. Balb/C mice were used to measure transit movement of a charcoal meal after slander glasswort extract was added to their drinking water at 0.36, 0.72, and 1.5 mg/mL concentrations. The extract's constipation relief effects were investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats with loperamide-induced constipation by adding 2, 3, and 4 mg/mL of the extract to their drinking water, and by feeding yogurt containing 0.0, 0.25, and 0.50% slander glasswort extract mixed into a 10-fold amount of water. The mice receiving the extract at 1.5 mg/mL via drinking water had a 16.4% increase in the rate of transit as compared to the controls. In addition, the rats receiving the extract via drinking water and yogurt had increased in constipation relief from 128 to 156% and from 107 to 150%, respectively, as compared to the controls. Based on the results, slander glasswort is considered to have effects on improving bowel function and relieving constipation.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2008

In an effort to make a functional and stable yogurt, this study investigated the improvement effects of sea tangle extract and sea tangle yogurt on intestinal function. The intestinal improvement effect of the extract was measured by the charcoal meal transit method, employing Balb/C mice. And constipation relief was compared utilizing the loperamide-induced constipation method, employing SD rats. Charcoal meal transit was remarkably increased in the mice receiving sea tangle extract as compared to the controls. The constipation relief effects of the sea tangle and sea tangle yogurt were evaluated by measuring fecal amounts in the rats after adding them to water. The fecal contents increased remarkably in the sea tangle administered rat groups as compared to the control group. In addition, different yogurt samples were used to evaluate the characteristics of the sea tangle yogurt. During storage, pH slightly decreased in the yogurt with sea tangle as well as without. At the same time, acidity slowly increased as the storage duration increased. As time elapsed, the amounts of viable cells increased in both yogurts (with and without sea tangle). In the sensory evaluation, significant differences were shown between the sea tangle yogurt and the control for color, flavor, sweetness, and overall quality. Overall, based on the combined results of the intestinal function effects and sensory evaluation, the 0.25% sea tangle yogurt proved to be superior.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.23-36
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to obtain baseline data on dietary management of women's constipation. We estimated the prevalence of self reported constipation, bowel habits and foods & nutrients intake. The subjects were 169 female college students (normal = 92, constipation group = 77) aged 19 to 23 years. We conducted anthropometric measurements, an evacuation habits survey, and a dietary intake assessment for three days by a 24 hour recall method. The prevalence of self reported constipation was 46% (n = 77). Results showed that bowel habits (the difficulty of evacuation, the duration of evacuation and the feeling after evacuation) were significantly different between the two groups. Over 65% of constipation group used laxatives for constipation relief. Frequency of stress and deep sleeping were related with constipation. In daily food consumption and nutrients intake, there was not a significant difference between the groups. However in relation to bowel habits which factors influence constipation, the study showed that the intake of water, potatoes, kimchi, and fruits correlated with evacuation facility. Further, there were no findings in the difference of foods consumption and nutrients intake between the two groups. But some life style changes and food intakes (potato and kimchi) may be useful to improve constipation symptoms in young women.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.90-101
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of abdominal meridian massage either with the use of aroma oils or without using the oils for the relief of constipation in institutionalized children with cerebral palsy. Method: Using a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design, 40 children were randomly assigned to experimental (n=21) and control (n=19) groups. The experimental group received abdominal meridian massage with mixture of aroma oils, and the control group received abdominal meridian massage only. Prior to the intervention, baseline data were collected, and then abdominal meridian massage with or without aroma oils were given to both groups every morning for 15 minutes a day, six days a week, for 2 weeks. Outcome measures were number of bowel movements, amount of stool (gm), and frequency of laxatives, suppositories or enema. Using SPSS/Win 12.0 program, data were analyzed by $X^2$ test, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Children in the experimental group defecated a larger volume of stool, and used fewer laxatives than those in the control group. The treatment effects lasted for 1 week after treatment. Conclusion: Abdominal meridian massage with aroma oils appears to be an effective adjunct maneuver in relieving constipation among institutionalized children with cerebral palsy.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.127-137
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• 2007

Purpose: It was investigated if abdominal meridian massage has effects on constipation in institutionalized psychiatric patients taking antipsychotic drugs. Methods: According to the constipation screening tests, 22 patients were selected as subjects. One group pre and post repeated measurement design was used. Constipation was operationalized as perceived constipation, frequency of defecation, frequency of bowel sound, and number of medicine taken to relieve constipation. Abdominal meridian massage was given for two weeks, 10-15 minutes each time and 10 times in total. Results: Perceived constipation, frequency of bowel sound, and number of medicine taken were significantly improved after massage. Except for number of medicine taken, the effects on perceived constipation and frequency of bowel sound were found to be persistent 2 weeks after massage. Conclusion: Based upon these results, abdominal meridian massage was recommended as independent nursing intervention for the relief of constipation in psychiatric patients who taking anti-psychotic drugs. Further studies to investigate the maximal duration time of effects and whether the effects of intermittent application of this method is more beneficial than the continuous application of this method are necessary.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.52-60
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of lifestyle modifications on the constipation relief, the time required to see the effects, and the effective lifestyles for constipation in older adults admitted to a geriatric hospital. Methods: Nonequivalent control group pre-post test design was used. The subjects consisted of 25 elderly in the control group and 23 in the experimental group. Constipation was measured with symptoms of constipation, number of bowel movement and use of laxatives. Life style modification consisted of drinking water before breakfast, having a breakfast, scheduled toileting after breakfast and walking everyday for 3 weeks. Results: Symptoms of constipation (t=2.23, p=.030) and number of bowel movement per week (t=-2.55, p=.014) were significantly different between two groups after 3 weeks. Drinking water, scheduled toileting and walking might contribute to the results. Conclusion: Lifestyle modification was effective on constipation in older adults admitted to a geriatric hospital. However, the effects were produced after 3 weeks. Nevertheless, it is recommended that nurses continuously encourage older adults for drinking water, regular trying for bowel movement and walking to relieve constipation, since the lifestyle modification does not need any special education and skill.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.426-438
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine bowel habits, dietary habits, and nutrient intake of constipated adults, and the effects of prune products on relieving constipation symptoms. Fifty one adults with self-reported constipation (mean age 23 years, range 19-41 years, 10 males and 41 females) participated in this study. After a baseline survey on bowel habits and dietuy habits, participants were asked to consume at least 50 g of prune and 200 ml of prune juice per day during a 4-week period in addition to usual diet. Nutrient intake was estimated by a 24 hour recall at the baseline and once every week by diet records during the intervention. Data were analyzed after classifying the subjects into mild constipation group and severe constipation group by the severity of the symptoms. During the intervention, the subjects with mild constipation consumed 56 g of prunes (about 5.6 fruits) and 200 ml of prune juice, and the subjects with severe constipation consumed 59 g of prunes (about 5.9 fruits) and 207 ml of prune juice. Average intakes of energy, dietary fiber and water of the subjects in the mild constipation and severe constipation group increased during the intervention compared to the baseline. Average dietary fiber intake of the mild constipation and severe constipation groups significantly increased from 12.5 g and 11.6 g at the baseline to 18.5 g and 16.8 g after consuming prune products, respectively. These changes were accompanied by an increase in the number of bowel movements, a decrease of defecation time, a change to a softer stool consistency, and a decrease of abdominal pain during defecation. Seventy two subjects answered that prune products were effective to improve their overall constipation symptoms. Our data show that supplementation of prune products is effective to provide energy, dietary fiber and water, and to relieve constipation symptoms for constipated adults.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of aromatherapy massage on constipation in the elderly. Method: This study for 10 day, employed a randomized control group pretest-posttest design. The experimental group received abdominal massage using essential oils with Rosemary, Lemon, and Peppermint, and the control group received a placebo massage. To evaluate the effect of aromatherapy, the degree of constipation was measured using the CAS (constipation assessment scale) and the number of bowel movements per week. Data was analyzed by repeated measures of ANOVA using the SPSS program. Result: The score of CAS of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group. In addition the average number of bowel movements in the experimental group was higher than that of the control group. The effect of aromatherapy lasted 2 weeks after treatment, while the placebo effect lasted 7~10 days after treatment. Conclusion: The finding of this study showed that aromatherapy helps relieve constipation in the elderly.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.31-40
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• 2015

Objectives: The study investigated constipation in male and female high school students and in order to provide data base for development of education and intervention programs aimed at preventing and managing constipation in high school students. Methods: The study used a technique of convenience sampling to mobilize the entire students in an academic high school in D region. Of the combined 360 copies of questionnaire distributed, 340 copies were collected and used for the final analysis. The gathered data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, and ${\chi}^2-test$ in SPSS 21. Results: The ratio of female students with constipation is significantly higher than that of male students with the condition(${\chi}^2=5.73$, p=0.017), and there were significant differences in exercise habits(${\chi}^2=26.75$, p<0.001), eating habits(${\chi}^2=43.19$, p<0.001), and bowel habits(${\chi}^2=22.96$, p<0.001) between female students and male students. Also there was significant difference in water intake between the normal group and the constipation group(${\chi}^2=10.01$, p=0.040). Significant differences between the two groups were also discovered in the level of perception of constipation(${\chi}^2=98.76$, p<0.001), bowel movement time(${\chi}^2=15.74$, p=0.008), and use of laxatives(${\chi}^2=17.68$, p<0.001) and enema(${\chi}^2=16.97$, p<0.001) for constipation relief. Conclusions: To prevent and manage constipation in high school students, education about healthy dietary, and bowel habits is required. Also there is an urgent need to improve the school toilet environment in order to respect the rights of students to void or defecate when necessary, a process which will require involvement of students, teachers, and other school staff.