As stoma patients we live with the fear of hernia at the back of our mind from the day we have our surgery. I have been told various stats, but the most common one is 1 in 2 stoma patients will develop a hernia. As a lover of sport with an 18cm scar, that fear will never leave me. I do all I can to prevent developing a hernia but any research into the area is much needed and in my opinion, overdue. Rebecca Langley
Ileostomate, aged 33
Problem addressed, background and strategic significance
Many people have a bulge or parastomal hernia (PSH). We believe that a physical activity intervention may improve people’s quality of life and may even stop a bulge or PSH from getting larger.
Method(s) used
People with a bulge/PSH will be prescribed muscle-strengthening and aerobic exercises by a clinical exercise instructor for 12 weeks. Changes in a bulge/PSH and quality of life will be measured before and after the 12 week programme. Participants will be interviewed about the exercise programme.
Hoped for results of this research
If successful, this study will show that patients can safely complete all exercises and complete all tests for the study.
What further plans are proposed for future development?
If a future much larger study of the intervention is successful then we will see an increase in the function and strength of the body core and abdominal wall, healthy weight maintenance and no changes for the worse in a bulge or PSH. In addition, we will see an increase in the amount of physical activity that people do which will improve physical functioning, fitness and body image and thereby overall quality of life.
This project is funded jointly by the Ileostomy & Internal Pouch Association and Kingston Trust CIO