Overview

Western style toilets require a person to sit on the toilet instead of a squatting position, usually required in foreign countries. Some studies suggest the squatting position may be more optimal for helping bowel evacuation. This clinical trial studies the use of a footstool versus the use of a regular, sitting toilet for relieving constipation.

Study Information

The footstool is 7 inches tall to help mimic the squatting position of foreign toilets. The comparative device will be a 2 inch stool. Bowel movement frequency will be recorded to compare which of the devices is more effective for relieving constipation.

Inclusion Criteria

• Females, ages 18 to 80 years old
• Have at least 2 of the following symptoms for the past 3 months or more 
  • 3 or more spontaneous bowel movements a week 
  • hard or lumpy stools more than 25% of time 
  • straining more than 25% of time 
  • feel bowel movements are incomplete more than 25% of time 
  • feeling of blockage in large intestine more than 25% of time
  •  movement to help defecation more than 25% of time
• Able to communicate with the investigator and to comply with the requirements of the entire study

Exclusion Criteria

• Currently using opioid painkillers
• Current using high dose of anticholinergics (e.g. nortriptyline, amitriptyline, hyoscyamine)
• Currently use laxatives

Locations

You may participate in this study at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, 55905. If you have any questions feel free to contact Kelly J. Feuerhak at 507-255-6802 or at Feuerhak.Kelly@mayo.edu.

Sponsors/Collaborators

This clinical trial is sponsored by the Mayo Clinic with Adil E Bharucha, MBBS, MD as the Principal Investigator.