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Efektivitas Abdominal Massage dalam Mengatasi Konstipasi pada Lansia: Review

Introduction

Efektivitas abdominal massage dalam mengatasi konstipasi pada lansia: review. Evaluasi efektivitas abdominal massage sebagai terapi non-farmakologi untuk mengatasi konstipasi pada lansia. Meningkatkan motilitas usus dan frekuensi BAB.

Abstract

The aging process and chronic diseases can increase the risk of constipation in the elderly. Abdominal massage is known to affect brain function through the gut-brain axis, thereby enhancing intestinal motility, stimulating intestinal peristalsis, and improving bowel frequency while reducing difficulty during defecation. Although abdominal massage has been reported to be effective, further research is still needed specifically for the elderly population. This review aims to evaluate the implementation of abdominal massage in managing constipation among the elderly based on Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) studies. The search results yielded 145 related journals, and after selection, six articles met the inclusion criteria, which were: 1) studies with abdominal massage intervention, 2) respondents in the elderly category, 3) RCT studies, and 4) full-text articles in English published between 2020-2025. Abdominal massage is recommended as a non-pharmacological therapy alternative for managing constipation in the elderly. Training to enhance the abilities of nurses and caregivers in performing abdominal massage is crucial for non-pharmacological constipation management. Further studies on specific methods or techniques of abdominal massage for the elderly are recommended to improve the effectiveness of this therapy

Review

This review, "Efektivitas Abdominal Massage dalam Mengatasi Konstipasi pada Lansia: Review," addresses a highly pertinent issue, as constipation in the elderly is a common and often debilitating problem exacerbated by the aging process and chronic diseases. The authors adeptly synthesize existing literature, focusing on the efficacy of abdominal massage as a non-pharmacological intervention. By examining Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), the review concludes that abdominal massage is indeed a viable and recommended alternative therapy for managing constipation in this vulnerable population, linking its mechanism to the gut-brain axis and improved intestinal motility. The methodological approach of this review is commendable, particularly its strict adherence to inclusion criteria that prioritize high-quality evidence. The focus on RCTs, specifically for elderly respondents, full-text English articles published within the recent five-year period (2020-2025), significantly enhances the reliability and contemporaneity of its findings. This rigorous selection process provides a solid foundation for the recommendation of abdominal massage. Furthermore, the practical implication emphasizing the need for training nurses and caregivers in performing this technique is highly valuable, ensuring that this non-pharmacological approach can be effectively integrated into clinical practice. While the review makes a strong case for abdominal massage, the relatively small number of included studies (six out of an initial 145) suggests that robust, high-quality RCTs specifically tailored to this intervention in the elderly might still be limited. This highlights the urgent need, as also acknowledged by the authors, for further research. Future studies should focus on optimizing specific methods, techniques, duration, and frequency of abdominal massage for the elderly, exploring different patient subgroups, and potentially investigating long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Despite this limitation, the review serves as an important call to action, consolidating current evidence and pointing towards critical avenues for future research to solidify the role of abdominal massage in geriatric care.

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