Effect of Therapeutic Magnetotherapy on Defecation Patterns in Critically Ill ICU Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundMagnetic therapy has emerged as a potentially safe method for managing gastrointestinal symptoms, although its effects on critically ill patients remain understudied. This study investigated the impact of magnetic therapy on the defecation patterns of intensive care unit (ICU) patients.MethodsThis research is a single-blind clinical trial involving 64 participants, who were randomly divided into two groups of 32: an intervention group and a control group. The secondary outcomes included stool consistency as assessed by the Bristol Stool Scale and the frequency of defecation over one week. Statistical analysis was performed via SPSS software version 24, employing the Mann‒Whitney test, analysis of variance with repeated measures, and the Friedman test.ResultsAmong the 64 participants, the majority were male (N = 37, 57.8%), with a mean age of 40.17 years.The Mann‒Whitney test revealed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the time of first defecation (p<0.001). Friedman's test revealed no significant changes in stool consistency in the intervention (P value=0.69) or control (P value=0.05) groups during the intervention. Additionally, repeated measures analysis indicated that the frequency of defecation remained consistent in the intervention (P value=0.05) and control (P value=0.39) groups, but the Mann–Whitney test revealed significant differences between the intervention and control groups only on days six (p=0.000; r = 0.51) and seven (p=0.000; r = 0.44).ConclusionMagnetic therapy can significantly improve defecation patterns in ICU patients during a one-week intervention. While it appears to be safe, further studies with longer durations are recommended.