Use of a Squatting Assist Device in Patients With Constipation

NCT ID: NCT02877394

Last Updated: 2026-01-13

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: PHASE2
• Total Enrollment: 85 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2016-09-01
• Study Completion Date: 2026-12-31

Brief Summary

Constipation is a very common problem. Western style toilets that are nearly universal in the United States require the person to sit on the toilet. However, results from uncontrolled studies suggests that a squatting posture (as prevalent in many foreign countries) may be better at facilitating evacuation compared to a Western style commode. One uncontrolled, unpublished study suggests that a footstool improved bowel symptoms in nearly 98% of 153 constipated participants. Hence, the investigators propose to evaluate the benefits of a footstool on symptoms and anorectal functions in constipated patients. Hypothesis: the regular squatting assist device (7 inches) but not a sham device (2 inches tall) will improve symptoms of constipation.

Conditions

Constipation

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Squatting Assist Device

The Squatty Potty is a 7 inch tall stool to assist subjects in maintaining a squatting position while using a toilet. While sitting on the toilet, the subject supports her feet on the Squatty Potty.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Squatting Assist Device

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The Squatty Potty is a 7 inch tall stool to assist subjects in maintaining a squatting position while using a toilet. While sitting on the toilet, the subject supports her feet on the Squatty Potty.

Sham Squatting Assist Device

This stool will be 2 inches tall and be similar in appearance to the Squatty Potty. While sitting on the toilet, the subject supports her feet on the 2 inch high stool.

Group Type: SHAM_COMPARATOR

Sham Squatting Assist Device

Intervention Type: DEVICE

This stool will be 2 inches tall and be similar in appearance to the Squatty Potty. While sitting on the toilet, the subject supports her feet on the 2 inch high stool.

Interventions

Squatting Assist Device

The Squatty Potty is a 7 inch tall stool to assist subjects in maintaining a squatting position while using a toilet. While sitting on the toilet, the subject supports her feet on the Squatty Potty.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Sham Squatting Assist Device

This stool will be 2 inches tall and be similar in appearance to the Squatty Potty. While sitting on the toilet, the subject supports her feet on the 2 inch high stool.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

Squatty Potty

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Able to communicate adequately with the investigator and to comply with the requirements for the entire study
• Meet Rome III criteria for functional constipation as assessed by questionnaires in period 1, i.e., report at least 2 of the following symptoms for last 3 months or more with symptom onset at least 6 months prior to diagnosis: a) <3 SBMs/week b) hard or lumpy stools ≥ 25% of time c) straining ≥ 25% of time d) sense of incomplete evacuation ≥ 25% of time e) feeling of anorectal blockage ≥ 25% of time or f) manual maneuvers to facilitate defecation ≥ 25% of time. Patients who meet Rome III criteria for irritable bowel syndrome will also be eligible provided they also meet above criteria.

Exclusion Criteria

• Current use of opioid analgesics. Patients on opioids will be allowed to participate if they have discontinued them for at least 3 days (72 hrs.) before date of screening and are willing to stay off them for the duration of the study.
• Current use of anticholinergics (e.g. nortriptyline, amitriptyline, hyoscyamine). Patients who use low dose tricyclic antidepressants (nortriptyline upto 50 mg/day or amitriptyline upto 25 mg/day ) will be eligible provided they do not increase the dose during the study period. Patients on higher doses or on other anticholinergics are eligible to participate if they can discontinue their medication at least 3 days (72 hrs) before the date of screening and are willing to stay off them till the study is complete.
• Current use of laxatives (MiraLax, Ex-lax, senna, herbal supplements), linaclotide, lubiprostone, and prucalopride to treat constipation- patients using these medications will be eligible to participate if they can discontinue the medication at least 3 days (72 hrs.) before the date of screening and are willing to stay off them till the study is complete.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 80 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Mayo Clinic

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Adil Bharucha, MBBS, MD

Professor of Medicine

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Adil E Bharucha, MBBS, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Mayo Clinic

Locations

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Rochester, Minnesota, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

16-004548

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id