Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobegakuin University, 518 Arise Ikawadanichou, Nishiku, Kobe City, Hyogo, 651-2180, Japan.
International University of Health and Welfare Graduate School of Medical Welfare Graduate School of Health and Medical Science 137-1 Enokidu, Okawa City, Fukuoka, 831-8501, Japan.
Indian J Gastroenterol. 2021 Apr;40(2):131-136. doi: 10.1007/s12664-020-01093-0. Epub 2020 Nov 11.
Elderly people experience a heavy physical burden due to deteriorated respiratory function owing to prolonged sitting defecation posture due to constipation. In recent years, to reduce the physical burden of defecation, arm support handrails, which support the arms in a forward-leaning posture, have become more widely available; however, their impact on breathing comfort has not yet been verified. This study's purpose was to compare the respiratory function of elderly people in traditional defecation postures and the arm-supported, forward-leaning position using the handrail, and thus verify whether the supported position has a positive effect.
The trunk leaning angle, respiratory function, thoracic range of motion, and subjective comfort of 57 healthy elderly people were measured and compared in each of the three sitting defecation postures: upright, forward-leaning, and arm-supported forward-leaning.
The arm-supported, forward-leaning position involves a trunk leaning angle of 61.84° ± 7.47°, and vital capacity of the respiratory function, thoracic range of motion (axillary region), and subjective comfort in this position are all shown to be significantly higher than those in the other postures.
The arm-supported, forward-leaning defecation posture provides a high degree of freedom in the abdomen due to proper forward-leaning, while the upper limb support improves the mobility of the upper thorax, thus ensuring high lung volume. In addition, the increased stability provides a comfortable feeling. Therefore, we conclude that the arm-supported, forward-leaning position is more effective for defecation than the general defecation position.
老年人由于便秘导致长时间采取坐姿排便，呼吸功能下降，身体负担沉重。近年来，为了减轻排便的身体负担，出现了扶手支撑前倾的手臂支撑式便厕，这种便厕可以让手臂得到支撑，身体前倾，但它对呼吸舒适度的影响尚未得到验证。本研究旨在通过对比传统排便姿势和使用扶手的手臂支撑前倾姿势下老年人的呼吸功能，验证支撑前倾姿势是否具有积极作用。
测量和比较了 57 名健康老年人在三种坐姿排便姿势（直立、前倾和手臂支撑前倾）下的躯干倾斜角度、呼吸功能、胸廓活动度和主观舒适度。
手臂支撑前倾姿势的躯干倾斜角度为 61.84°±7.47°，在该姿势下，呼吸功能的肺活量、胸廓活动度（腋窝区）和主观舒适度均明显高于其他姿势。
手臂支撑前倾排便姿势通过适当的前倾为腹部提供了更大的自由度，同时上肢支撑提高了上胸部的活动性，从而确保了较高的肺容量。此外，增加的稳定性带来了舒适感。因此，我们得出结论，手臂支撑前倾姿势比一般排便姿势更有利于排便。
