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Journals / Çocuk Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 25 Sayı: 4

The Effect of Therapeutic Touch on Functional Constipation in Infants and Young Children: A Randomized Controlled Study

Selda Ateş Beşirik(BURDUR MEHMET AKİF ERSOY UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-0744-3213
Emine Geçkil(NECMETTIN ERBAKAN UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-3947-285X
Pages
194–204
Publication Date
2026-02-12
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Conclusion: Therapeutic touch application was found to be effective in children with functional constipation by increasing bowel sounds and stool number, normalizing stool density, and reducing the intensity of discomfort during defecation.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of therapeutic touch applied to infants and young children diagnosed with functional constipation according to the Rome IV criteria on constipation.
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Key Findings & Data:Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in a prospective, randomized controlled, parallel group (Experimental n = 30, Control n = 30) trial design.
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Conclusion & Impact:Conclusion: Therapeutic touch application was found to be effective in children with functional constipation by increasing bowel sounds and stool number, normalizing stool density, and reducing the intensity of discomfort during defecation.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:infant · child · constipation

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of therapeutic touch applied to infants and young children diagnosed with functional constipation according to the Rome IV criteria on constipation. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in a prospective, randomized controlled, parallel group (Experimental n = 30, Control n = 30) trial design. The study included 60 children aged between 6 and 24 months who applied to a hospital pediatric outpatient clinic with complaints of constipation and were diagnosed with functional constipation according to the Rome IV diagnostic criteria. The experimental group received a total of 12 therapeutic touch sessions, three times a week, in addition to routine care for 4 weeks. The control group received routine care. Data were collected using the “Child-Family Information Form” and the “Bristol Stool Scale.” Results: The descriptive characteristics of the experimental and control groups were found to be similar. A statistically significant difference was found between the experimental and control groups in terms of bowel sounds, stool number, stool density, and discomfort intensity (p<0.05) and the magnitude of the effect (group*time interaction) of the change was determined to be moderate. In addition, a significant difference was found between the experimental and control groups in the Bristol Stool Scale in the 2nd and 3rd weeks (p<0.05). Conclusion: Therapeutic touch application was found to be effective in children with functional constipation by increasing bowel sounds and stool number, normalizing stool density, and reducing the intensity of discomfort during defecation.

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Cite This Article

Beşirik, S. A., Geçkil, E., *, S. A. B. (2026). The Effect of Therapeutic Touch on Functional Constipation in Infants and Young Children: A Randomized Controlled Study. Çocuk Dergisi, Cilt: 25 Sayı: 4, 194–204. https://doi.org/10.26650/jchild.2025.1624282

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