Constipation is the third most common symptom in patients undergoing chemotherapy, with an incidence rate ranging from 31% to 90%. Despite its high prevalence and adverse effects on patients, constipation is often not reported by patients and is not frequently monitored by nurses, resulting in delays in treatment and care. Prolonged constipation can lead to health problems such as fecal impaction/obstruction, hemorrhoids, rectal pain, and intestinal perforation, thereby reducing patients' quality of life. Additionally, increased severity of constipation in cancer patients may lead to the interruption or complete cessation of chemotherapy. Therefore, it is essential to monitor and assess patients for the risk of developing constipation and to implement an effective nursing care protocol.
Abdominal massage is an approach that increases peristalsis, i.e., digestive system movement, by altering intra-abdominal pressure, thereby reducing the severity of constipation.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* 18 years of age or older,
* Receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer or lung cancer that causes constipation
* Patients who received at least one cycle of chemotherapy and experienced chemotherapy-associated constipation within five days of treatment (stool type 1 or 2 according to the Bristol Stool Scale)
* Volunteers who are willing to participate in the research, can communicate, and can read and write,
* Without psychiatric illness and abdominal obstruction,
* No mass in the abdominal region was detected,
* No intestinal bleeding,
* No history of radiation therapy to the abdominal region,
* No surgical procedures in the abdominal region,
* Patients without intra-abdominal infection, inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome will be included
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients with stool type 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 points according to the Bristol Stool Scale
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.