Abdominal Exercise to Prevent Hernias Near a Bowel Opening After Surgery
Tests specific abdominal muscle training in people having a sigmoidostomy surgery.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Specific Training After Stoma Surgery
Key facts
- Where
- Gothenburg, Helsingborg, Örebro, and Skövde, SwedenSee the 4 sites
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for people who are scheduled to have a permanent sigmoidostomy (a stoma made from the large bowel). It tests whether abdominal muscle training lowers the risk of a hernia next to the stoma.
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Disease stage
- People planned for surgery with a permanent sigmoidostomy. People with spread malignant disease at inclusion cannot join.
- Earlier treatment
- Previous hernia in the abdominal wall, or previous open abdominal surgery with scars of 20 cm (7.9 in) or more, excludes people.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Not Swedish speaking
- Impaired cognitive ability
- Physical disability that limits the training
- Lung disease including chronic cough
- Acute surgery
Read by machine on 9 November 2026.
Where in Sweden
- Sahlgrenska University HospitalGothenburg, SwedenTaking people
- Helsingborgs lasarettHelsingborg, SwedenTaking people
- Örebro UniversitetssjukhusÖrebro, SwedenTaking people
- Skövde SjukhusSkövde, SwedenTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Göteborg University
- Trial code
- NCT04701853
- Record updated
- 13 March 2025
- Original description
In Sweden, approximately 43,000 people have undergone surgery with ileo-, colo- or urostomy. The most common type of stomy is a sigmoidostomy. A large proportion, about 50%, of patients who receive a permanent sigmoidostomy develop a parastomal hernia which may have major impact.Read full original descriptionShow less
Specific Training After Stoma Surgery
In Sweden, approximately 43,000 people have undergone surgery with ileo-, colo- or urostomy. The most common type of stomy is a sigmoidostomy. A large proportion, about 50%, of patients who receive a permanent sigmoidostomy develop a parastomal hernia which may have major impact.
There are indications that specific abdominal exercise may reduce the risk of parastomal hernias, but randomized studies are lacking.
The aims of the study are:
1. to evaluate the effect of specific exercise to counteract the development of parastomal hernia in sigmoidostomy and the hernia's impact on ostomy function, physical function and quality of life. 2. to examine patients' experience of living with parastomal hernia. The study plans to include 240 patients who on will undergo surgery and receive a sigmoidostomy. These will be randomized to receive only advice according to the usual routine to avoid the development of parastomal hernia or these advice with the addition of specific abdominal muscle training. The training is initiated before the operation and is then carried out during the first postoperative year. Follow-up will be done with a clinical assessment and with measurement of bulge and size of the parastomal hernia manually, with electronic measuring equipment and via computed tomography images. Patients will assess their stoma and stoma function and assess any discomfort and its consequences of hernia via a study-specific questionnaire. Type of ostomy bandage will also be registered. The evaluation will be carried out 6, 12 and 36 months postoperatively.
Prior to the start of sub-study a, the planned measurement methods to assess whether a parastomal hernia is present will be tested for validity. In addition, a group of patients (≥15 people) with parastomal hernia will be included in a qualitative sub-study where they will be interviewed about their experiences of the hernia hernia and how it may affect daily life.
The present study will be able to answer whether specific exercise can reduce the risk of parastomal hernia. Methods for clinically assessing and evaluating bulging and hernias will be tested and evaluated in relation to patient-reported symptoms. In addition, the study will provide information about the patient's experience of having a parastomal hernia and how it affects daily life and physical activity. The results will provide an increased understanding of parastomal hernias, which may change the follow-up of patients in the future.
Inclusion: A consecutive series of patients who are scheduled to have a permanent sigmoidostomy.
Exclusion: Previous hernia in the abdominal wall; Previous open abdominal surgery with scars ≥20 cm; Acute surgery; Lung disease including chronic cough; Spread malignant disease at inclusion; Not Swedish speaking; Impaired cognitive ability; Physical disability that limits the possibility of carrying out the intervention.