Abstract
BACKGROUND: Research on the combined effects of Naldemedine and targeted rehabilitation for managing opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is limited. This retrospective study aims to explore their use in chronic pain patients with OIC. METHODS: The study examined 53 patients with OIC, comparing outcomes between those receiving Naldemedine with targeted physical exercise (28 in Naldemedine + Rehabilitation group) and those receiving Naldemedine alone (25 in Naldemedine alone group). Assessments at baseline (T0), 14 ± 2 days (T1), and three months (T2) included Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QoL) and Bowel Function Index (BFI). RESULTS: Combining Naldemedine with rehabilitation led to higher patient satisfaction at three months compared to Naldemedine alone, while no significant between-group differences were observed in abdominal pain relief or bowel function. After 14 days of treatment, both groups demonstrated improvements in NRS, BFI, PAC-QoL total score, and PAC-QoL subscale for satisfaction (p = 0.716, p = 0.886, p = 0.585, p = 0.431). After three-month, Naldemedine + Rehabilitation group showed significantly higher satisfaction levels compared to those on Naldemedine alone, as indicated by PAC-QoL total score and sub-score for satisfaction (p = 0.031, p = 0.0163). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a combined approach involving targeted physical exercise alongside Naldemedine treatment showed promising results in enhancing patients' satisfaction.