Efficacy of Therapeutic Massage in the Management of Pediatric Functional Constipation
- VernacularTitle:Хүүхдийн үйл ажиллагааны гаралтай өтгөн хаталтын үеийн эмчилгээний бариа заслын үр дүн
- Author:
Tungalagtuya Kh
1
;
2
;
Suvd S
2
;
Altantulga B
3
;
Munkhzul B
4
;
Uranchimeg O
5
;
Oyuntsetseg N
1
;
Zandi N
1
;
Bolortulga Z
1
Author Information
1. Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Mongolian Traditional Medicine, MNUMS
2. "Bomborduk" Pediatric Traditional Medicine Center
3. Bayangol District Railway Integrated Hospital
4. "Odont-Manal" Family Health Center
5. Kindergarten No. 290
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Abdominal massage;
Tuina therapy;
Functional constipation;
Pediatric rehabilitation;
Intestinal motility
- From:
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences
2026;91(1):176-181
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Background:Functional constipation is a common condition in early childhood, with an estimated global prevalence of approximately 3%. In Mongolia, functional constipation has been increasingly diagnosed among young children, particularly those aged 2–6 years. The condition is associated with abdominal pain, bloating, painful defecation, stool retention behaviors, and long-term physical and psychological complications. Although pediatric Tuina massage is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a non-pharmacological intervention, evidence regarding its effectiveness remains limited in the local context.
Aim:To evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic massage on stool frequency and stool consistency in children with functional constipation.
Materials and Methods:A randomized controlled study was conducted between May and December 2025 at the “Bomborduk” Pediatric Traditional Medicine Center. Sixty children diagnosed with functional constipation (ICD-10 K59.04) were randomly assigned to a therapeutic massage group (n=30) or an exercise therapy group (n=30). Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after one month using the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS) and the Bristol Stool Form Scale.
Result:The mean age of participants was 3.75±0.94 years, with no significant difference between groups. In the massage therapy group, CAS scores decreased from 8.23±2.39 to 3.17±2.36, while Bristol Stool scores improved from 1.33±0.48 to 3.00±0.87. Improvements were significantly greater in the massage group compared with the exercise therapy group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:Therapeutic massage is a safe and effective non-pharmacological intervention that significantly improves stool consistency and reduces constipation severity in children with functional constipation.
- Full text:20260926141352918530_Хүүхдийн_үйл_ажиллагааны_гаралтай_өтгөн_хаталтын_үеийн_эмчил.pdf
