Functional ConstipationNCT07694830
Core-Based Movement and Nutritional Counselling for Stress and Metabolic Outcomes in Overweight Women With Functional Constipation
A study testing Guideline-Based Nutritional Counselling and Core-Based Movement Exercise Program in people with Functional Constipation, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
This study will investigate the effect of core-based movement and nutritional counselling on stress, serum cortisol, and lipid profile in overweight women with functional constipation. Sixty overweight women with functional constipation will be randomly assigned into two equal groups. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Functional Constipation
- What is being tested?
- Guideline-Based Nutritional Counselling and Core-Based Movement Exercise Program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 4 Oct 2026to 30 Mar 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Female participants diagnosed with functional constipation according to Rome IV diagnostic criteria.
- Age between 18 and 45 years.
- Body mass index between 25 and 29.9 kg/m².
- Ability to participate safely in the core-based movement exercise program.
- Willingness to follow the nutritional counselling program and study procedures.
Who cannot join
- Participants will be excluded if they have any organic gastrointestinal disorder or any disease that may affect gastrointestinal transit or colonic function.
- Participants with inflammatory bowel disease, concurrent infectious enteritis, malignant tumors, or a history of gastrointestinal surgery, including resection of the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine, will be excluded.
- Participants receiving steroids, antibiotics, immunosuppressive medications, or routinely using laxatives will be excluded.
- Participants with hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or other endocrine or metabolic disorders that may affect gastrointestinal function will be excluded.
- Participants with serious cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, hepatic, hematological, neurological, or psychiatric disorders will be excluded.
- Participants with a history or current evidence of alcohol abuse within the previous year will be excluded.
- Participants currently engaged in an intense workout regimen will be excluded.
- Participants with a musculoskeletal disability that may interfere with exercise applicability, such as cervical or lumbar radiculopathy, will be excluded.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Egypt1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Faculty of Physical Therapy, Kafrelsheikh University
Kafr ash Shaykh, Kafr el-Sheikh Governorate, 33511
Doaa M Allam, PhD, 01003116041 ext. +2, Doaa_Alam@pt.kfs.edu.eg
About this study
Official title: Effects of Core-Based Movement and Nutritional Counselling on Stress, Cortisol, and Lipid Profiles in Overweight Women With Functional Constipation
This study will investigate the effect of core-based movement and nutritional counselling on stress, serum cortisol, and lipid profile in overweight women with functional constipation.
Sixty overweight women with functional constipation will be randomly assigned into two equal groups. The study group will include 30 participants who will receive a core-based movement exercise program for 8 weeks, two sessions per week, in addition to guideline-based nutritional counselling. The control group will include 30 participants who will receive guideline-based nutritional counselling only for 8 weeks.
The outcomes will include perceived stress, serum cortisol level, lipid profile, stool form, sleep quality, and quality of life.
Read the detailed description
The practical part of the study will be conducted over 8 weeks, with two sessions per week. Measurements will be taken at baseline before the start of the treatment program and after completion of the 8-week intervention.
A- Evaluative procedures will include
- Laboratory investigations for serum cortisol and lipid profile. Blood samples will be collected after an overnight fasting period of 8-12 hours, and 5 mL of venous blood will be drawn from each participant.
- Stool form and consistency will be assessed using the Bristol Stool Form Scale, and participants will be instructed to record their bowel movements and stool consistency.
- Perceived stress will be assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale.
- Sleep quality will be assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.
- Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey.
B- Treatment procedures All participants in both groups will receive nutritional counselling for overweight management and functional constipation. The nutritional counselling will be based on guidance provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the British Dietetic Association (BDA).
- Participants in Group A, the study group, will participate in an 8-week core stability-based movement program, two sessions per week, for a total of 16 sessions. They will also receive guideline-based nutritional counselling. Each exercise session will include 5 minutes of warm-up exercises before the core stability-based movement program and 5 minutes of cool-down stretching exercises after the session to ensure participant safety.
- Participants in Group B, the control group, will receive guideline-based nutritional counselling only for 8 weeks. The counselling will be based on guidance provided by NICE for overweight management and BDA for dietary management of functional constipation.
C- Statistical analysis : Statistical analysis will be performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 25 for Windows. Descriptive statistics will be used to describe the data. Mixed-model ANOVA will be used to determine within-group changes and between-group differences. The level of significance for all statistical tests will be set at p < 0.05.
- Conditions
- Functional Constipation
- Being tested
- Guideline-Based Nutritional Counselling, Core-Based Movement Exercise Program
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Guideline-Based Nutritional CounsellingBehavioural
Participants will receive guideline-based nutritional counselling for overweight management and functional constipation. The counselling will be based on guidance provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for overweight management and the British Dietetic Association (BDA) for dietary management of chronic constipation. Counselling will include individualized healthy eating advice, regular meal timing, avoidance of very large or very small meals, adequate hydration, gradual increase of dietary fiber according to tolerance, and encouragement of fiber-rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains. Participants will also be advised to limit fried foods, processed foods, high-fat foods, excess caffeine, fizzy drinks, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars.
Core-Based Movement Exercise ProgramBehavioural
A core-based movement exercise program will include Swan, one leg up-down, leg circles, single-leg stretch, Saw, side kicks, The Hundred, pelvic lift on the ball, sit-ups with the ball, and stretching on the ball. During the first month, sessions 1-8, participants will perform 1 set of 8 repetitions. During the second month, sessions 9-16, participants will perform 2 sets of 10 repetitions.
Guideline-based nutritional counselling for overweight management and functional constipation. The counselling will be based on guidance provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for overweight management and the British Dietetic Association (BDA) for dietary management of chronic constipation. Counselling will include individualized
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Nutritional Counselling Only | Active comparator | Each participant in this group will receive NICE- and BDA guideline-based nutritional counselling only for overweight management and functional constipation for 8 weeks. Receives: Behavioral: Guideline-Based Nutritional Counselling |
| Core-Based Movement and Nutritional Counselling | Experimental | Participants in this group will receive an 8-week core-based movement exercise program, two sessions per week, in addition to NICE- and BDA guideline-based nutritional counselling for overweight management and functional constipation. Receives: Behavioral: Guideline-Based Nutritional Counselling; Behavioral: Core-Based Movement Exercise Program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Serum Cortisol Level
Serum cortisol level will be assessed through laboratory investigation. Blood samples will be collected after an 8-12-hour overnight fast.
Measured: Baseline and Week 8
Secondary outcomes (5)
Change in Lipid Profile Parameters
Description: Lipid profile parameters will be assessed through laboratory investigation, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
Measured: baseline and week 8
Change in Perceived Stress Score
Perceived stress will be assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale-10. The total score ranges from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress and a worse outcome.
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline and week 8
Change in stool form , consistency, and frequency
Stool form and consistency will be assessed using the Bristol Stool Form Scale. The scale ranges from Type 1 to Type 7, where Types 1-2 indicate separate hard lumps/constipation, Types 3-4 generally indicate normal stool form, and Types 6-7 indicate watery stool/diarrhea.
Weekly stool frequency will be assessed through a daily diary.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Change in Sleep Quality
Sleep quality will be assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The total score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating poorer sleep quality and a worse outcome.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Change in Health-Related Quality of Life
Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey. The Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scores are norm-based, with a reference population mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. Higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life.
Measured: Baseline and week 8
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Jul 2026
- Study start4 Oct 2026
- Primary completion30 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Mar 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Functional ConstipationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned into two parallel groups. The study group will receive core-based movement exercises in addition to guideline-based nutritional counselling, while the control group will receive guideline-based nutritional counselling only. Both groups will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the 8-week intervention.
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Doaa Mohammed Mahmoud Allam, Kafrelsheikh University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07694830
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FPTBSUREC/0513/14526
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 5 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 6 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Core-Based Movement and Nutritional Counselling on Stress, Cortisol, and Lipid Profiles in Overweight Women With Functional Constipation
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07694830
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FPTBSUREC/0513/14526
- Conditions
- Functional Constipation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 4 Oct 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 10 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study will investigate the effect of core-based movement and nutritional counselling on stress, serum cortisol, and lipid profile in overweight women with functional constipation.
Sixty overweight women with functional constipation will be randomly assigned into two equal groups. The study group will include 30 participants who will receive a core-based movement exercise program for 8 weeks, two sessions per week, in addition to guideline-based nutritional counselling. The control group will include 30 participants who will receive guideline-based nutritional counselling only for 8 weeks.
The outcomes will include perceived stress, serum cortisol level, lipid profile, stool form, sleep quality, and quality of life.
Detailed description
The practical part of the study will be conducted over 8 weeks, with two sessions per week. Measurements will be taken at baseline before the start of the treatment program and after completion of the 8-week intervention.
A- Evaluative procedures will include
- Laboratory investigations for serum cortisol and lipid profile. Blood samples will be collected after an overnight fasting period of 8-12 hours, and 5 mL of venous blood will be drawn from each participant.
- Stool form and consistency will be assessed using the Bristol Stool Form Scale, and participants will be instructed to record their bowel movements and stool consistency.
- Perceived stress will be assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale.
- Sleep quality will be assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.
- Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey.
B- Treatment procedures All participants in both groups will receive nutritional counselling for overweight management and functional constipation. The nutritional counselling will be based on guidance provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the British Dietetic Association (BDA).
- Participants in Group A, the study group, will participate in an 8-week core stability-based movement program, two sessions per week, for a total of 16 sessions. They will also receive guideline-based nutritional counselling. Each exercise session will include 5 minutes of warm-up exercises before the core stability-based movement program and 5 minutes of cool-down stretching exercises after the session to ensure participant safety.
- Participants in Group B, the control group, will receive guideline-based nutritional counselling only for 8 weeks. The counselling will be based on guidance provided by NICE for overweight management and BDA for dietary management of functional constipation.
C- Statistical analysis : Statistical analysis will be performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 25 for Windows. Descriptive statistics will be used to describe the data. Mixed-model ANOVA will be used to determine within-group changes and between-group differences. The level of significance for all statistical tests will be set at p < 0.05.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned into two parallel groups. The study group will receive core-based movement exercises in addition to guideline-based nutritional counselling, while the control group will receive guideline-based nutritional counselling only. Both groups will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the 8-week intervention.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Nutritional Counselling Only | Active comparator | Behavioral: Guideline-Based Nutritional CounsellingEach participant in this group will receive NICE- and BDA guideline-based nutritional counselling only for overweight management and functional constipation for 8 weeks. |
| Core-Based Movement and Nutritional Counselling | Experimental | Behavioral: Guideline-Based Nutritional Counselling, Behavioral: Core-Based Movement Exercise ProgramParticipants in this group will receive an 8-week core-based movement exercise program, two sessions per week, in addition to NICE- and BDA guideline-based nutritional counselling for overweight management and functional constipation. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Female participants diagnosed with functional constipation according to Rome IV diagnostic criteria.
- Age between 18 and 45 years.
- Body mass index between 25 and 29.9 kg/m².
- Ability to participate safely in the core-based movement exercise program.
- Willingness to follow the nutritional counselling program and study procedures.
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Participants will be excluded if they have any organic gastrointestinal disorder or any disease that may affect gastrointestinal transit or colonic function.
- Participants with inflammatory bowel disease, concurrent infectious enteritis, malignant tumors, or a history of gastrointestinal surgery, including resection of the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine, will be excluded.
- Participants receiving steroids, antibiotics, immunosuppressive medications, or routinely using laxatives will be excluded.
- Participants with hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or other endocrine or metabolic disorders that may affect gastrointestinal function will be excluded.
- Participants with serious cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, hepatic, hematological, neurological, or psychiatric disorders will be excluded.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Guideline-Based Nutritional CounsellingParticipants will receive guideline-based nutritional counselling for overweight management and functional constipation. The counselling will be based on guidance provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for overweight management and the British Dietetic Association (BDA) for dietary management of chronic constipation. Counselling will include individualized healthy eating advice, regular meal timing, avoidance of very large or very small meals, adequate hydration, gradual increase of dietary fiber according to tolerance, and encouragement of fiber-rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains. Participants will also be advised to limit fried foods, processed foods, high-fat foods, excess caffeine, fizzy drinks, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars. | Behavioural | Core-Based Movement and Nutritional Counselling, Nutritional Counselling Only |
| Core-Based Movement Exercise ProgramA core-based movement exercise program will include Swan, one leg up-down, leg circles, single-leg stretch, Saw, side kicks, The Hundred, pelvic lift on the ball, sit-ups with the ball, and stretching on the ball. During the first month, sessions 1-8, participants will perform 1 set of 8 repetitions. During the second month, sessions 9-16, participants will perform 2 sets of 10 repetitions. Guideline-based nutritional counselling for overweight management and functional constipation. The counselling will be based on guidance provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for overweight management and the British Dietetic Association (BDA) for dietary management of chronic constipation. Counselling will include individualized | Behavioural | Core-Based Movement and Nutritional Counselling |
Primary outcome
Change in Serum Cortisol Level
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
Serum cortisol level will be assessed through laboratory investigation. Blood samples will be collected after an 8-12-hour overnight fast.
5 secondary outcomes
Change in Lipid Profile Parameters
Time frame: baseline and week 8
Change in Perceived Stress Score
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and week 8
Change in stool form , consistency, and frequency
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Change in Sleep Quality
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Change in Health-Related Quality of Life
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 6 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Guideline-Based Nutritional Counselling and Core-Based Movement Exercise Program in people with Functional Constipation, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Doaa M Allam, PhD (01003116041 ext. +2, doaaallam48@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Serum Cortisol Level (time frame: Baseline and Week 8). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 6 Oct 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 26 Oct 2026.