The immediate effect of abdominal mud pack on autonomic function among individuals with constipation: A single case report

Introduction: Constipation is a common condition marked by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stools, often linked to low fibre intake, dehydration, and inactivity. While traditional treatments include medications and lifestyle changes, complementary therapies like mud therapy are gaining attention. This study investigates the immediate effects of abdominal mud pack therapy for constipation relief.

Case details: A 19-year-old female reported irregular bowel habits for four years, exacerbated by small meals and outside food. She also experienced irregular menstrual cycles and was on ovulation tablets. With a BMI of 27.4 kg/m², her physical and systemic examinations were unremarkable. A mud pack was applied to her abdomen and eyes for 20 minutes under standard conditions.

Results: Post-intervention analysis showed significant improvements in heart rate variability, with The mean RR interval raised from 815 ms to 819 ms, Additional improvements were noted in SDNN (39.5 ms to 47.4 ms), RMSSD (46.6 ms to 56.9 ms), and pNN50% (17.03% to 21.43%). Meanwhile, the stress index decreased from 10.0 to 8.2. Additionally, the LF/HF ratio dropped from 1.733 to 0.926, indicating enhanced autonomic regulation.

Conclusion: Abdominal mud pack therapy demonstrated immediate benefits in relieving constipation, offering a non-invasive and cost-effective naturopathic option. Further studies are needed to establish its long-term efficacy.