Effect of Foot Bath After Colonoscopy

NCT07636109 — Not applicable, Completed, 90 participants, Kocaeli University

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Effect of Foot Bath After Colonoscopy on Pain, Abdominal Distension, and Time to First Flatus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Registry	NCT07636109, acronym FOOTBATH-COL
Status	Completed
Phase	Not applicable
Study type	Interventional; randomized, parallel, masking: none, other
Enrollment	90 (Actual)
Sponsor	Kocaeli University (Other)
Conditions	Colonoscopy Pain, Abdominal Distension
Interventions	Warm foot bath (Other)
Dates	start 2024-04-01, primary completion 2024-05-02, completion 2025-12-28, first posted 2026-06-09, last updated 2026-06-09
Locations	1 site in Turkey (Türkiye)

-Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether a 30-minute foot bath with warm water (40-41°C) after colonoscopy reduces post-procedure pain and abdominal distension and shortens the time to first passage of flatus. Ninety adults undergoing planned colonoscopy were randomized to a foot bath group or standard care. Pain and distension were assessed using a visual analog scale at 0, 15, and 30 minutes after the procedure. Time to first flatus and overall satisfaction were also recorded.

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+Detailed description

Participants (n=90) were randomized 1:1 to receive a warm foot bath (40-41°C for 30 minutes) immediately after colonoscopy or to receive standard care only. Outcomes included post-colonoscopy pain and abdominal distension measured with a 0-10 VAS at 0, 15, and 30 minutes; time to first flatus recorded in minutes based on participant report; and overall satisfaction measured using VAS at the end of the observation period. The study was conducted in a university hospital endoscopy unit between April 2024 and December 2025.

+Arms and interventions

Arm	Type	Interventions	Description
Foot bath	Experimental	Other: Warm foot bath	Participants received a warm foot bath (40-41°C) for 30 minutes after colonoscopy, in addition to standard care.
Control Arm	No intervention		Participants received routine post-colonoscopy routine care only.

Warm foot bath (Other): Warm water foot bath (40-41°C) for 30 minutes applied after colonoscopy.

+Outcome measures

Primary outcomes

Post-colonoscopy pain intensity (VAS) [0, 15, and 30 minutes after colonoscopy]: Pain intensity measured using a 0-10 visual analog scale (VAS); higher scores indicate greater pain.

Secondary outcomes

Post-colonoscopy abdominal distension (VAS) [0, 15, and 30 minutes after colonoscopy.]: Distension severity measured using a 0-10 VAS; higher scores indicate greater distension.

+Eligibility

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to any

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults (≥18 years) scheduled for planned colonoscopy
* Able to speak and understand Turkish
* Provided written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Foot deformity and/or neurologic nerve damage
* Foot amputation
* Communication problems
* Chronic analgesic use
* Substance dependence
* Undergoing just upper endoscopy

+Locations (1)

Facility	City	Country	Status
Kocaeli University	Kocaeli	Turkey (Türkiye)

+Publications

Uslu Y, Akbayrak H, Kuytak Ortahisar B, Barak TH. The effect of lavender foot baths on postoperative pain and sleep quality in comparison with foot baths with warm water only-A prospective randomized controlled study. Explore (NY). 2024 May-Jun;20(3):385-391. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2023.10.003. Epub 2023 Oct 5. PMID 37863680

+Investigators

Yasemin Özhanlı, Assist. Prof, Principal investigator, Kocaeli University
HATİCE MERVE ALPTEKİN, Assist. Prof, Study chair, Kocaeli University
SEVAL ULUBAY, PhD, Study chair, SAMSUN HOSPITAL
ENES ŞAHİN, Assoc. Prof., Study chair, Kocaeli University