Introduction
Aloe vera is widely used as a strong laxative and to promote gastrointestinal motility. Aloe vera treatment may be beneficial for patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome or functional constipation.1 It may be used as a natural remedy for constipation and eaten in a juice, gel, or tablet form. When constipated, aloe Aloe latex is mostly administered orally to help the intestines spontaneously empty.2 As a result, osmotic laxatives and lifestyle modification stimulants are the primary therapy in the management algorithm.3
Persistent constipation appears to be somewhat frequent among people in general.4 According to estimates, between 2% and 28% of Indians experience chronic constipation; the majority of estimates range between 12% and 19%. Depending on the diagnostic criteria, its occurrence varies.5 Chronic constipation disproportionately affects women (2:2:1), and as people age, the incidence has increased.6
One study found that elderly people who consume less calories and meals are also more likely to become constipated.7 Comorbid diseases and residing in a care facility are two possible risk factors for constipation.8
Constipation is a common issue and challenge for the elderly. Constipation increases with age and is environment-related.9 The incidence is 26% for women and 26% for males among community members 65 years of age or older; the greatest rate is found among individuals 84 years of age or older. It may affect as many as 80% of residents in long-term care settings.10
Hence, the investigator has decided to manage constipation by using home remedial measures with affordable prices among old age people with use of aloe Aloe vera. Because it is one of easily available medicinal aloe Aloe vera and had got many medicinal effects.
Materials & Methods
After obtaining the institutional ethics committee approval (CTRI/2023/11/059828), a single-blinded randomized control trial study was conducted among the elderly in a tertiary care Hospital from September to November 2023. Volunteer inclusion criteria were adults aged≥ 60 years, seeking medical services at IPD, able to speak and understand Kannada or English, and accessible for follow-up throughout the study period by providing written consent. Participant recruitment of older adult’s aged ≥60 years who are seeking medical services at R.LJ. Hospital and Research Centre, Tamaka, Kolar. (n=30) in the Experimental group and Control group (n=30), were recruited by using a Block randomization technique. The experimental group was given aloevera Aloe vera juice whereas the Control group received Routine care. Geriatric clients with co-morbid conditions of cardiovascular disorders and Diabetes were excluded. Participant information sheets and written consent forms were given to older adults which were translated in the regional language upon returning the consent forms, participants were invited to attend the study for one month. A sample size of 60 participants was chosen in line with previous sample size recommendations of feasibility studies.
Setting of the study
Tertiary Care hospital, at R.L. Jalappa Hospital and Research Centre, Tamaka, Kolar.
Sample size
derived by employing the Med. Calc statistical software assessed the difference between the two means as 14.2 and the SD or variance of 22.7 with the effect size of 0.2, with a 80% power of the study and a predetermined significance level of 95% (CI) with a two-tailed test and 5% absolute precision alpha error (d) and assuming 10% to be an attrition rate the estimated sample size was around 25 in each group. If 10% of the sample's dropouts were taken into account, the estimated sample size was around 30 in each group
Considering the Cochran’s formula
Sampling technique
Block randomization where wards have been categorized using Rraosoftware into blocks of 4x4 and the blocks were classified based on Block A as experimental group & Block B as control group.
Data collection tools
The tool was prepared based on the research problem, objectives of the study stated were assessed by using standardized Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS).11
Section-I: Proforma on Sociodemographic variables: age, gender, marital status, Educational qualification, Type of family, Co-morbidities, Health checkups undergone, and Bio physiological parameters were assessed such as Nutritional status, Vision, hearing acuity, Sleep pattern, Bowel & Bladder pattern, Physical activity per day, were recorded to provide participants’ baseline characteristics. It is shown in the Table 2.
Section II: McMillan and Williams (1989) Standardized Eight item “Constipation Assessment Scale” used on old age people who have constipation. represented in the Table 3, Table 4, Table 5.
Intervention
Add 5ml-10ml of aloe Aloevera gel of 100 milligrams per day and Mix with 100 ml of water. Each day, 2 inch portions of aloe Aloe vera gel along with 1 cup of water to a blender were added. Blend only for 30 to 60 seconds until the aloe Aloe vera gel is fully crushed. Each day fresh juice is prepared and served to experimental group till 20 days and posttest assessed on 10th and 20th day.12, 13, 14, 15 RMANOVA Performed to assess the effectiveness of aloevera juice represented in Figure 1.
Table 0
Table 1
Distribution of the geriatric clients of the Experimental and Control groups based on their socio-demographic characteristics
Table 2
Frequency and percentage distribution of overall pre-test and post-test level scores of the Geriatric clients in experimental and control groups. (n=30+30)
Table 3
Distribution of m constipation score Mean, SD, of Constipation assessment scores of older adults by comparing the pretest and posttest scores between the groups Independentusing Independent t test between the groups during pretest and post-test.
Table 4
Association between pretest scores among geriatric clients and theselected socio-demographic variables. (n=30+30)
Results
Table 3 depicts the frequency and percentage distribution of constipation assessment among older adults during pretest and posttest, with significant improvements after the intervention.
Table 4 depicts the mean scores of constipation assessmentamong older adults during pretest and posttest, with significant improvements after the intervention.
Discussion
It was feasible and safe to deliver a Aloe vera juice Intervention among geriatric clients in health care and community settings.16 The intervention was acceptable to Geriatric clients, Caretakers and it can be developed as a protocol to improve health promotion outcome measures among the elderly.17 A key to success was the availability &medicinal effects of Aaloe vera juice to improve their Quality of Life and confidence to engage with the home remedial measures.18 This study adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests volunteers can successfully provide a intervention and take on more direct roles in supporting older individuals.19
A systematic review of 21 studies found evidence suggesting that Aloe vera is essential to improve the bowel pattern and improve health outcomes of community-dwelling older adults including severe constipation, Nutritional status20 On the initial day of recruitment, the participants were given Pretest, followed by an Aloe vera juice Intervention focusing on Constipation assessment. Posttest 1& and posttest 2 on the 10th , 20th day, which showed a greater significant improvement in relief of constipation scores among geriatric clients.21 Similarly, a range of studies emphasized physical and nutritional aspects in this study holistic comprehensive health promotion measures required for the elderly have been focused.22
LeiA systematic review of Aaloe vera and its effectiveness was conducted to synthesize existing research on the relationship between older adults’ health and functioning.23 A systematic search was conducted of electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Biosis, and the Cochrane Library). The study highlighted there are promising results, clinical effectiveness of oral a Aloe vera to relieve constipation among geriatric.24
Conclusion
Based on the study findings, Aloe vera is proven to be effective to relieve constipation among older adults. This study demonstrated that it was feasible and safe to deliver a Aloe vera juice for community-dwelling older adults both in hospital and community settings.25 The geriatric population was found to be the biggest beneficiary of Aloe vera juice intervention strategies as home remedial measures with medicinal effects.26
Limitations and scope
The study was conducted among older adults between 60-75 years age group. It can be conducted in community settings. Geriatric population was the biggest beneficiaries. Further research is needed to better understand factors that influence participants’ adherence to intervention strategies to promote the healthy aging.27
Nursing implications
Nursing practice: Nursing professionals working in the hospital as well as in the community setup should know how to assess the risk of constipation.
Nursing education: abundant opportunities to educate the elderly about healthy life styles and risk factors of constipation.
Nursing administration: manage the patient care and delivery of specific nursing services within the health care agency.28
Nursing research: Nursing research is urgently needed to improve the health with home remedial measures which are proven to be effective.29 [(30])
Recommendations of the Study
A similar study can be replicated on a large sample in different types of setting.
Acknowledgment
We would like to acknowledge the tremendous contribution of the all the geriatric clients for the cooperation in conducting the research. We thank all the authorities for the permitting to conduct research . remaining authors who have constantly supported the project from the initial phase of the study till the end in data collection process to Ms. Abiya Shibu, Ms. Namitha Elza Jojo, Ms. Adithya Murali, Ms. Suma.A,Ms. Akhila.A, Ms. Tessa Saji, Ms. Jinu Jojo, Ms. Aleena Biju, Ms. Treesa Benny, Ms. Algeena Jacob, Ms. Usha L.S, Mr. Abhilash.R, III year BSc(N) students, SDUCON.
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