Case study to evaluate a standing table for managing constipation

SCI Nurs. 2001 Summer;18(2):74-7.

Abstract

Standing devices have been advocated as a potentially beneficial treatment for constipation in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI); however, definitive data are lacking. A case of a patient who requested a standing table to treat chronic constipation is presented as an illustration of a method to address this problem on an individual patient level. The patient was a 62-year-old male with T12-L1 ASIA B paraplegia who was injured in 1965. The patient was on chronic narcotics for severe, nonoperable shoulder pain. His bowel program had been inadequate to prevent impactions. A systematic approach was used to measure the effects of a standing table on frequency of bowel movements (BMs) and on length of bowel care episodes. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in frequency of BMs and a decrease in bowel care time with the use of the standing table 5 times/week versus baseline. For this patient, the use of the standing table was a clinically useful addition to his bowel care program.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Constipation / etiology*
  • Constipation / therapy
  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Posture
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / complications*
  • Toilet Facilities*