An interaction was found between baseline value of
GSRS total score and massage (p = .001); the more severe
the symptoms were at baseline the greater the impact of
abdominal massage was in week 8. No other interactions
were found (Fig. 2).
Rating of GSRS total score, constipation syndrome, and
pain syndrome were stable over time in the control group
while the trend in the intervention group was falling,
which means a decrease in severity of symptoms.
No significant differences were found between the
intervention and control group according to consistency of
faeces or stool size analyzed with Wilcoxon signed-rank
test or laxative intake analyzed with Mann–Whitney Utest