Comparison of the effects of abdominal massage and osteopathic manipulative treatment home program on constipation in children with cerebral palsy

Background and AimThe aim of this study is to compare the effects of osteopathic manipulative therapy home program (OMT-H) versus abdominal massage home program (AMHP) in treating constipation in children with cerebral palsy (CP).MethodsTwenty-nine children with CP with a mean age of 12.2 +/- 3.76 years, who were constipated and were not on medication, were divided into three randomized groups: (i) control group (n = 10), (ii) AMHP (n = 10), and (iii) OMT-H (n = 9). In AMHP and OMT-H groups, treatment was applied as 20-min sessions every other day for 10 sessions for 3 weeks. Modified Constipation Assessment Scale (MCAS), Rome III criteria, and the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) were used for evaluation before treatment and once a week during treatment.ResultsWhile there was no change in constipation symptoms in the control group, there was an improvement in constipation symptoms after treatment in the AMHP and OMT-H groups (AMHP, P = 0.003; OMT-H, P = 0.000014). While the treatment showed to be effective from the first week in the OMT-H group, the change in BSFS (P = 0.026) and MCAS sub-parameters was found to be superior.ConclusionAMHP and OMT-H are effective and beneficial in treating constipation. In children with CP, OMT-H was found to be quicker and more successful compared with AMHP. The OMT-H can be effectively used in clinical practice in relieving constipation in CP. In our study to investigate the best approach to the problem of constipation, which complicates daily life in children with cerebral palsy, and to evaluate the applicability of these treatments by mothers/caregivers at home, we examined the symptoms seen in children; Complaints such as stool consistency, frequency of defecation, abdominal bloating, and inability to pass stool resolved in a short time. Osteopathic treatment is considered a useful and effective approach in the treatment of constipation in cerebral palsy. image