Immaculada Herrero Fresneda
USMIMA S.L., Spain
Title: Benefits of automatic massage with MOWOOT on chronic constipation
Biography
Biography: Immaculada Herrero Fresneda
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: It has been demonstrated that colon-specific massage is effective against constipation (ref). This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of MOWOOT, a medical device that automatically reproduces the abdominal massage of health professionals.
Sample: 15 people (45-86yo) suffering from chronic constipation for more than 5years who didn’t use manual abdominal massage as treatment.
Treatment: 15 minutes of massage with MOWOOT daily at the same time for 15 days. Patients should not discontinue their usual pharmacological treatments.
Methods: Before (PRE) and after (POST) treatment patients answered validated questionnaires to quantify fecal consistency (Bristol scale) and constipation index (CCCS). During treatment, they filled out a bowel diary. Patients with anal sphincter dyssynergia and those with <50% adherence to treatment were excluded from the analysis. Each patient served as his own control Student’s T Test (paired values) or Mann-Whitney U tests were used for quantitative or non-parametric variables. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: No adverse effects were reported. All the people described a pleasant relaxing sensation during the massage. Two people left the study. Three were excluded due to lack of adherence. Out of 10 people who completed the treatment, two were excluded due to anal dyssynergia. The final sample analyzed was n=8 (70.70±3.94yo). The results showed a clear increase in the average number of bowel movements per week (4.75±0.86 pre vs 6.5±1.09 post, P=0.0062); significant improvement in fecal consistency (Bristol 3.09±0.66 pre vs 5.02±0.41 post, P= 0.0335) and halving the defecation time (8.55±1.48 pre vs 4.59±0.74 min post, P=0.0036), resulting in a clear reduction in the constipation index (11.50±1.25 pre vs 8.25±.08 post, P=0.0001).
Conclusions: The specific massage of colon administered automatically with MOWOOT reduces the fecal consistency, increases the frequency of evacuations, and decreases the time of deposition, improving chronic constipation in adults.