Purpose of the research: The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of massage based on
the tensegrity principle and classical abdominal massage performed on patients with constipation.
Materials and methods: The study group consisted of 29 subjects with a pre-existing diagnosis of
constipation based on the Rome III criteria. The patients were divided into two groups: the first groupwas
made up of 15 patients who underwent tensegrity massage (average age: 59.8 years), and the secondwas
made up of 14 patients who were given classical abdominal massage (average age: 55.7 years). The study
consisted of six massage sessions in both groups, with two sessions perweek performed over 21 days. The
assessment was based on a patient questionnaire, the Rome III questionnaire and a diary of bowel
movements. The results were analyzed before therapy, after one week of therapy and after the third
(final) week of therapy.
Results: Changes in the number of defecations were compared between the two groups; the biggest
changes occurred in the first and third week of therapy (P