Articles Tập 67 Số CĐ1-NCKH 27/01/2026

INITIAL EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMBINED PHYSICAL THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF CONSTIPATION IN STROKE PATIENTS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL THERAPY, 108 CENTRAL MILITARY HOSPITAL, IN 2025

Tran Hong Phuong1,2, Do Thi Tuyet1,2, Pham Thi Chau Loan1,2, Le Thi Thom1,2, Le Thi Nguyet1,2, Nguyen Dang Nam1,2, Tran Thi Thanh Thao1,2
1 Rehabilitation Center, 108th Military Hospital
2 Trung tâm Phục hồi chức năng , Bệnh viện Trung ương Quân đội 108
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v67iCD1.4224
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Keywords
Physical therapy, constipation, stroke, quality of life.
Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of physical therapy in treating constipation in stroke patients at the Rehabilitation Department, 108 Military Central Hospital.Materials and Methods: A prospective, non-controlled clinical intervention study was conducted on 32 stroke patients with constipation symptoms, treated at the Rehabilitation Department, 108 Military Central Hospital from December 2024 to May 2025. Patients received: abdominal massage, pelvic floor and abdominal muscle strengthening exercises, and electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles Results: Among constipated patients, 68.75% had ischemic stroke and 21.25% had hemorrhagic stroke. After intervention, defecation frequency increased from 2.1 ± 0.7 to 4.8 ± 0.9 times/week (p<0.001), defecation time decreased from 15.3 ± 5.2 to 7.4 ± 2.6 minutes (p<0.001), and the Bristol score improved from 1.8 ± 0.8 to 3.7 ± 0.7 (p<0.001). Quality of life measured by SF-36 significantly increased from 42.9 ± 13.9 to 60.5 ± 11.6 points (p<0.001), with improvements across all 8 domains. The majority of patients (84.4%) were satisfied with the intervention outcomes.Conclusion: Physical therapy is an effective method for treating constipation in stroke patients, significantly improving defecation frequency and quality, while enhancing patients' overall quality of life.

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