A Behavioural Approach to Retraining Bowel Function After Long‐standing Constipation and Faecal Impaction in People With Learning Disabilities

Smith, Linda J.; Franchetti, Brenda; McCoull, Kathleen; Pattison, Dawn; Pickstock, John C.

doi:10.1111/j.1469-8749.1994.tb11764.x

Cited by 18 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…(2000) concluded that there is no evidence to support the routine use of anal sphincter biofeedback. Many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of behavioural treatment approaches in children in the general population as well as those with learning disabilities (Smith 2000; Smith et al. 1994), with treatment success reportedly around 70% (Bosch 1988;Dawson et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abdominal massage for the treatment of idiopathic constipation in children with profound learning disabilities: a single case study design

Moss¹,

Smith²,

Wharton³

et al. 2007

Brit J Learn Disabil

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Accessible summary• This report describes how abdominal massage was provided to five children, to see if it would help with their constipation. • Children and adults with learning disabilities often have long-term constipation that is treated with laxatives. • The abdominal massage was not effective for all the children.• However the parents enjoyed doing the massage and all thought that it was a helpful and enjoyable experience for them and their children. SummaryChronic constipation is a common problem in people with learning disabilities. Treatment often involves dietary changes or long-term laxative use. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of abdominal massage. The participants were five children with profound learning disabilities and additional physical difficulties. Their long-standing idiopathic constipation was managed by laxatives. Intervention lasted up to 35 weeks, during which participants received 20 min of massage at least twice daily. Parents were asked to maintain stable use of laxatives during the intervention phase, although some chose to withdraw laxatives during abdominal massage intervention. Abdominal massage appeared to result in stools of a more 'normal' consistency in some cases. However, no significant differences were found in stool frequency. Parents reported that abdominal massage was a positive experience. In addition, they believed that massage was an effective treatment for constipation. As a result, laxative use was reduced in some cases, apparently with no ill-effects. These subjective beliefs were not, however, generally borne out by the objective results.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abdominal massage for the treatment of idiopathic constipation in children with profound learning disabilities: a single case study design

Moss¹,

Smith²,

Wharton³

et al. 2007

Brit J Learn Disabil

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It has been suggested that classical and operant treatment methods appear to be the best supported interventions for encopresis, soiling and constipation in children and adults with developmental disability (Matson & Lovullo, ). One study (which did not meet the inclusion criteria for this review) used a behavioural approach involving prompted toilet‐sitting after meals, rewards for appropriate evacuation and increased fibre in four people with intellectual disability who suffered from chronic constipation, faecal impaction, soiling and were long‐term users of elimination aids (Smith, Franchetti, McCoull, Pattison, & Pickstock, ). Training resulted in near normal bowel function, although training time was long and it was unclear which elements of the programme were essential to success.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%