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Respiratory function and comfort levels in three different defecatory simulation postures in the elderly

  • Original Article
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Indian Journal of Gastroenterology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Elderly people experience a heavy physical burden due to deteriorated respiratory function owing to prolonged sitting defecation posture due to constipation. In recent years, to reduce the physical burden of defecation, arm support handrails, which support the arms in a forward-leaning posture, have become more widely available; however, their impact on breathing comfort has not yet been verified. This study’s purpose was to compare the respiratory function of elderly people in traditional defecation postures and the arm-supported, forward-leaning position using the handrail, and thus verify whether the supported position has a positive effect.

Methods

The trunk leaning angle, respiratory function, thoracic range of motion, and subjective comfort of 57 healthy elderly people were measured and compared in each of the three sitting defecation postures: upright, forward-leaning, and arm-supported forward-leaning.

Results

The arm-supported, forward-leaning position involves a trunk leaning angle of 61.84° ± 7.47°, and vital capacity of the respiratory function, thoracic range of motion (axillary region), and subjective comfort in this position are all shown to be significantly higher than those in the other postures.

Conclusion

The arm-supported, forward-leaning defecation posture provides a high degree of freedom in the abdomen due to proper forward-leaning, while the upper limb support improves the mobility of the upper thorax, thus ensuring high lung volume. In addition, the increased stability provides a comfortable feeling. Therefore, we conclude that the arm-supported, forward-leaning position is more effective for defecation than the general defecation position.

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Funding

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP19K19879.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobegakuin University, 518 Arise Ikawadanichou, Nishiku, Kobe City, Hyogo, 651-2180, Japan

    Daisuke Tashiro

  2. International University of Health and Welfare Graduate School of Medical Welfare Graduate School of Health and Medical Science 137-1 Enokidu, Okawa City, Fukuoka, 831-8501, Japan

    Daisuke Tashiro, Masami Nakahara, Eiji Kitajima & Katsuko Hida

Authors
  1. Daisuke Tashiro
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  2. Masami Nakahara
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  3. Eiji Kitajima
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  4. Katsuko Hida
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daisuke Tashiro.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

DT, MN, EK, and KH declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethics statement

The study was performed conforming to the Helsinki declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000 and 2008 concerning human and animal rights, and the authors followed the policy concerning informed consent as shown on Springer.com.

Ethical approval

This study was approved by the International University of Health and Welfare Ethics Review Board.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all participants before the commencement of the study (approval number: 18-Ifh-025)

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The authors are solely responsible for the data and the contents of the paper. In no way, the Honorary Editor-in-Chief, Editorial Board Members, the Indian Society of Gastroenterology, or the printer/publishers are responsible for the results/findings and content of this article.

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Tashiro, D., Nakahara, M., Kitajima, E. et al. Respiratory function and comfort levels in three different defecatory simulation postures in the elderly. Indian J Gastroenterol 40, 131–136 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-020-01093-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-020-01093-0

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