Chronic constipation management for institutionalized older adults

Bran's effectiveness in reducing the need for bowel medication for intermed iate care patients was examined at a VA medical center in New York. Twelve older men with chronic constipation and bowel medication use were matched a nd randomized to receive either bran treatment or usual care (controls). Af ter baseline assessment, six patients were given gradually increasing daily doses of a bran mixture. Results over a 4-month period showed that these p atients completely discontinued oral laxative use and had an 80% reduction in total bower medication use without adversely affecting bowel frequency. The six men who received usual care (controls) experienced no changes.