Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41814538›Full record

Trial reportJournal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID2026

Abdominal Massage for Adults With an Intellectual Disability and Constipation: A Feasibility Pilot Study.

Janet Finlayson, Kirsteen Goodman, Jennifer Crockett, Sudhakar Sharma, Josephine Kelly, Ceri Sellers, Suzanne Hagen

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARID, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Janet FinlaysonDepartment of Nursing, Community and Public Health, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8445-3581
Kirsteen GoodmanDepartment of Nursing, Community and Public Health, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.
Jennifer CrockettDepartment of Nursing, Community and Public Health, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.
Sudhakar SharmaCommunity Learning Disability Physiotherapy Service, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK.
Josephine KellyCommunity Learning Disability Physiotherapy Service, NHS Lanarkshire, Bothwell, UK.
Ceri SellersDepartment of Nursing, Community and Public Health, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.
Suzanne HagenDepartment of Nursing, Community and Public Health, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9741-9160

Funding

Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBetween 33% and 50% of adults with an intellectual disability experience constipation. The predominant treatment of laxatives is poorly managed and lacks efficacy over time.

aimThe aim was to determine the feasibility of, and pilot, abdominal massage for adults with an intellectual disability and constipation, administered by their supporter at home, to alleviate their symptoms.

methodAdults with an intellectual disability and constipation were randomised, using a 3:1 ratio, into intervention and control groups. Supporters of adults in the intervention group received training and completed abdominal massage sessions with the person over a 6-week period.

resultsThirty-one adults and their supporters participated: 24 intervention and 7 control groups. Abdominal massage was found to be a feasible non-pharmacological intervention to use in this population.

conclusionA large trial is required to determine the effectiveness of this intervention. Co-production is also needed to develop tailored constipation symptoms assessment for this population.

Indexed as

AbdomenConstipationIntellectual DisabilityMassageAdultFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPilot ProjectsYoung Adultabdominal massagebowel managementconstipationintellectual disabilitynon‐pharmalogical intervention

Identifiers

PMID41814538
PMCPMC12979966

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.