Aqelah Mohammed Hashim
Academic Nurse, Adult Nursing Department/College of Nursing/ University of Kerbala/Iraq
Dr. Hassan Abdullah Athbi
PhD/Associate Professor/Adult Nursing Department/College of Nursing/ University of Kerbala, Iraq
ABSTRACT
Background: Constipation is a common and clinically significant complication in stroke patients, increasing the risk of secondary strokes due to elevated abdominal pressure during straining. Effective management of post-stroke constipation is essential for improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Heat therapy, such as the application of a hot water bag, has been suggested as a potential non-pharmacological intervention to alleviate constipation by enhancing intestinal motility and blood circulation. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of hot water bag therapy in relieving constipation in patients during the acute phase of stroke. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Imam Al-Hussein Medical City between September 4, 2023, and June 5, 2024. A purposive sample of 58 stroke patients was recruited and divided into two groups: an intervention group (n = 29) and a control group (n = 29). Patients in the intervention group received hot water bag therapy, which involved placing a rubber hot water bag (80°C) with a protective cover on the abdomen four times a day for 30 minutes over a three-day period. The control group received only routine medical care. The study instrument consisted of two parts: (1) socio-demographic and clinical data, and (2) constipation severity assessment using the Wexner Constipation Score. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including independent and paired sample t-tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Prior to the intervention, 92.9% of patients in the intervention group had severe constipation. Following hot water bag therapy, 63.3% of patients reported no constipation, while 36.7% experienced only mild constipation. A statistically significant difference was observed between the intervention and control groups post-intervention (p = 0.000), indicating the effectiveness of heat therapy in relieving constipation. Conclusion: The application of a hot water bag on the abdomen four times daily for 30 minutes over three days significantly reduced constipation severity in stroke patients. These findings support the use of heat therapy as a simple, non-invasive, and effective complementary approach for managing post-stroke constipation. Further research is recommended to explore its long-term benefits and potential mechanisms of action.
Keywords: Stroke, Constipation, Hot Water Bag.
