The effect of SSP therapy on elderly nursing home residents' chronic constipation

[Purpose] The aim of the present study is to examine the effects of silver spike point therapy on elderly persons' chronic constipation. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects of the present study were 30 elderly chronic-constipation sufferers who resided in a nursing home and had other physical conditions that necessitated wheelchair ambulation. There were three test groups in the present study: an silver spike point group, an acupuncture group, and a control group; 10 subjects were assigned to each group. The silver spike point group and the acupuncture group received their respective interventions, which were applied to both sides of the Tiensu for 20 minutes per day, five days per week, over a four week period. Weekly bowel movement frequency was recorded, and the Constipation Assessment Scale and Bowel Function Assessment Form were used as data-gathering instruments. [Results] Following treatment, the silver spike point and acupuncture groups showed significant improvement, based on the Constipation Assessment Scale and the Bowel Function Assessment Form, compared with the control group. [Conclusion] Based on the above results, silver spike point therapy can be administered to alleviate chronic constipation in elderly nursing home residents who cannot walk independently due to declining physical functions.