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Use of a Squatting Assist Device in Patients With Constipation

Primary Purpose

Constipation

Status
Recruiting
Phase
Phase 2
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Squatting Assist Device
Sham Squatting Assist Device
Sponsored by
Mayo Clinic
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Constipation

Eligibility Criteria

18 Years - 80 Years (Adult, Older Adult)FemaleDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria:

  • Able to communicate adequately with the investigator and to comply with the requirements for the entire study
  • Meet Rome III criteria for functional constipation as assessed by questionnaires in period 1, i.e., report at least 2 of the following symptoms for last 3 months or more with symptom onset at least 6 months prior to diagnosis: a) <3 SBMs/week b) hard or lumpy stools ≥ 25% of time c) straining ≥ 25% of time d) sense of incomplete evacuation ≥ 25% of time e) feeling of anorectal blockage ≥ 25% of time or f) manual maneuvers to facilitate defecation ≥ 25% of time. Patients who meet Rome III criteria for irritable bowel syndrome will also be eligible provided they also meet above criteria.

Exclusion criteria:

  • Current use of opioid analgesics. Patients on opioids will be allowed to participate if they have discontinued them for at least 3 days (72 hrs.) before date of screening and are willing to stay off them for the duration of the study.
  • Current use of anticholinergics (e.g. nortriptyline, amitriptyline, hyoscyamine). Patients who use low dose tricyclic antidepressants (nortriptyline upto 50 mg/day or amitriptyline upto 25 mg/day ) will be eligible provided they do not increase the dose during the study period. Patients on higher doses or on other anticholinergics are eligible to participate if they can discontinue their medication at least 3 days (72 hrs) before the date of screening and are willing to stay off them till the study is complete.
  • Current use of laxatives (MiraLax, Ex-lax, senna, herbal supplements), linaclotide, lubiprostone, and prucalopride to treat constipation- patients using these medications will be eligible to participate if they can discontinue the medication at least 3 days (72 hrs.) before the date of screening and are willing to stay off them till the study is complete.

Sites / Locations

  • Mayo Clinic in RochesterRecruiting

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm Type

Experimental

Sham Comparator

Arm Label

Squatting Assist Device

Sham Squatting Assist Device

Arm Description

The Squatty Potty is a 7 inch tall stool to assist subjects in maintaining a squatting position while using a toilet. While sitting on the toilet, the subject supports her feet on the Squatty Potty.

This stool will be 2 inches tall and be similar in appearance to the Squatty Potty. While sitting on the toilet, the subject supports her feet on the 2 inch high stool.

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Change in Mean Weekly Complete Spontaneous Bowel Movement (CSBM) Frequency
Weekly CSBM Frequency = (Number of CSBMs recorded in 7 days/Number of days with bowel entries in subject diary) X 7

Secondary Outcome Measures

Full Information

First Posted
August 19, 2016
Last Updated
September 28, 2023
Sponsor
Mayo Clinic
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT02877394
Brief Title
Use of a Squatting Assist Device in Patients With Constipation
Official Title
Use of a Squatting Assist Device in Patients With Constipation
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
September 2023
Overall Recruitment Status
Recruiting
Study Start Date
September 1, 2016 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
December 2024 (Anticipated)
Study Completion Date
December 2024 (Anticipated)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Principal Investigator
Name of the Sponsor
Mayo Clinic

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
Yes
Product Manufactured in and Exported from the U.S.
No
Data Monitoring Committee
No

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
Constipation is a very common problem. Western style toilets that are nearly universal in the United States require the person to sit on the toilet. However, results from uncontrolled studies suggests that a squatting posture (as prevalent in many foreign countries) may be better at facilitating evacuation compared to a Western style commode. One uncontrolled, unpublished study suggests that a footstool improved bowel symptoms in nearly 98% of 153 constipated participants. Hence, the investigators propose to evaluate the benefits of a footstool on symptoms and anorectal functions in constipated patients. Hypothesis: the regular squatting assist device (7 inches) but not a sham device (2 inches tall) will improve symptoms of constipation.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Constipation

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Phase 2
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Masking
Participant
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
85 (Anticipated)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Squatting Assist Device
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
The Squatty Potty is a 7 inch tall stool to assist subjects in maintaining a squatting position while using a toilet. While sitting on the toilet, the subject supports her feet on the Squatty Potty.
Arm Title
Sham Squatting Assist Device
Arm Type
Sham Comparator
Arm Description
This stool will be 2 inches tall and be similar in appearance to the Squatty Potty. While sitting on the toilet, the subject supports her feet on the 2 inch high stool.
Intervention Type
Device
Intervention Name(s)
Squatting Assist Device
Other Intervention Name(s)
Squatty Potty
Intervention Description
The Squatty Potty is a 7 inch tall stool to assist subjects in maintaining a squatting position while using a toilet. While sitting on the toilet, the subject supports her feet on the Squatty Potty.
Intervention Type
Device
Intervention Name(s)
Sham Squatting Assist Device
Intervention Description
This stool will be 2 inches tall and be similar in appearance to the Squatty Potty. While sitting on the toilet, the subject supports her feet on the 2 inch high stool.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Change in Mean Weekly Complete Spontaneous Bowel Movement (CSBM) Frequency
Description
Weekly CSBM Frequency = (Number of CSBMs recorded in 7 days/Number of days with bowel entries in subject diary) X 7
Time Frame
baseline, 4 weeks

10. Eligibility

Sex
Female
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
18 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
80 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion criteria: Able to communicate adequately with the investigator and to comply with the requirements for the entire study Meet Rome III criteria for functional constipation as assessed by questionnaires in period 1, i.e., report at least 2 of the following symptoms for last 3 months or more with symptom onset at least 6 months prior to diagnosis: a) <3 SBMs/week b) hard or lumpy stools ≥ 25% of time c) straining ≥ 25% of time d) sense of incomplete evacuation ≥ 25% of time e) feeling of anorectal blockage ≥ 25% of time or f) manual maneuvers to facilitate defecation ≥ 25% of time. Patients who meet Rome III criteria for irritable bowel syndrome will also be eligible provided they also meet above criteria. Exclusion criteria: Current use of opioid analgesics. Patients on opioids will be allowed to participate if they have discontinued them for at least 3 days (72 hrs.) before date of screening and are willing to stay off them for the duration of the study. Current use of anticholinergics (e.g. nortriptyline, amitriptyline, hyoscyamine). Patients who use low dose tricyclic antidepressants (nortriptyline upto 50 mg/day or amitriptyline upto 25 mg/day ) will be eligible provided they do not increase the dose during the study period. Patients on higher doses or on other anticholinergics are eligible to participate if they can discontinue their medication at least 3 days (72 hrs) before the date of screening and are willing to stay off them till the study is complete. Current use of laxatives (MiraLax, Ex-lax, senna, herbal supplements), linaclotide, lubiprostone, and prucalopride to treat constipation- patients using these medications will be eligible to participate if they can discontinue the medication at least 3 days (72 hrs.) before the date of screening and are willing to stay off them till the study is complete.
Central Contact Person:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
Kelly J Feuerhak
Phone
507-255-6802
Email
Feuerhak.Kelly@mayo.edu
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Adil E Bharucha, MBBS, MD
Organizational Affiliation
Mayo Clinic
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
City
Rochester
State/Province
Minnesota
ZIP/Postal Code
55905
Country
United States
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Kelly J Feuerhak
Phone
507-255-6802
Email
Feuerhak.Kelly@mayo.edu

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
No
Links:
URL
https://www.mayo.edu/research/clinical-trials
Description
Mayo Clinic Clinical Trials

Learn more about this trial

Use of a Squatting Assist Device in Patients With Constipation

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