THE EFFECT OF CHEWING SUGAR-FREE GUM ON THE INCIDENCE AND SEVERITY OF CONSTIPATION IN MALE PATIENTS UNDER LOWER LIMB SKELETAL TRACTION: A BLIND CLINICAL TRIAL

Constipation is a common problem in orthopedic patients, therefore preventive
interventions in nursing care for these patients is essential. The aim of this study was to determine the
effect of chewing sugar-free gum on the incidence and severity of constipation in male patients under
lower limb skeletal traction.
Materials and Methods: This study was an experimental clinical trial that was conducted in a single
blind randomized interval in in Besat Hospital Sanandaj, Iran in 2017. Sixty two patients who were
under skeletal traction using simple randomization by throwing coins were allocated into test group and
control group. The incidence and severity of constipation in intervention group was measured based on
ROM III questionnaire after 7 days of intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 23.Chisquare and T-test was also used.
Results: The incidence of constipation in the test group was 45.2% (14 patients) and in control group it
was 74.2% (23 patients). The results showed that the incidence of constipation in the test group was less
than that of the control group and this difference was statistically significant (p <0.02). The mean
constipation severity in the test group was 5.54 and in the control group it was 11.03, the difference was
also significant statistically (p <0.015).
Conclusion: The results of present study showed that chewing sugar-free gum as a complementary and
non-pharmacological method was effective in reducing the incidence and severity of constipation in
male patients under lower limb traction, therefore, this method can be used in completed bed rest
patients.