A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Oil Pulling on Constipation among Adolescent Students at Selected College Hostel, Coimbatore

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal problem among adolescents and may negatively affect physical comfort, bowel habits, and quality of life. Non-pharmacological and low-cost supportive interventions are increasingly being explored for bowel health management. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of oil pulling on constipation among adolescent students residing in a selected college hostel in Coimbatore.
A pre-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted among 60 first- and second-year B.Sc. Nursing students selected through non-probability purposive sampling. Baseline socio-demographic variables and constipation levels were assessed using the Modified Wexner Constipation Scale. The participants were instructed to perform oil pulling using 10 ml of coconut oil for 10 minutes daily on an empty stomach for four weeks. Post-test assessment was conducted using the same tool after completion of the intervention.
Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and paired t-test. The findings revealed a reduction in the mean constipation score from 1.85 in the pre-test to 0.75 in the post-test. The calculated paired t-value was 8.12, which was statistically significant at p < 0.001. The results indicate improvement in constipation symptoms following the intervention.
The study findings suggest that oil pulling may be a simple, safe, low-cost, and supportive complementary practice for reducing constipation symptoms among adolescent students. The possible physiological explanation may include stimulation of salivary secretion, activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, relaxation response, and promotion of healthy morning bowel habits. However, the study was limited by the absence of a control group, small sample size, and short duration of follow-up. Further randomized controlled studies with larger samples are recommended to establish the effectiveness and physiological basis of oil pulling in constipation management.

Oil Pulling, Constipation, Adolescent Students, Complementary Therapy, Bowel Health.

1. Wassom MC. Primary constipation in different age groups: causes and clinical perspectives. Clin Gastroenterol Rev. 2023;15(2):101–109. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Goyal O, Nohria S, Dhaliwal AS, Goyal P, Soni RK, Chhina RS, et al. Prevalence, overlap, and risk factors for Rome IV functional gastrointestinal disorders among college students in northern India. Indian J Gastroenterol. 2023;42(4):312–319. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Ramachandran K, Subramanian R, Kumar V. Effect of coconut oil pulling on oral malodor and plaque among college students aged 17–21 years in Coimbatore: a pilot study. Oral Health Res J. 2025;8(1):22–28. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Ramachandran K, Ramesh S, Lakshmi P. Effect of coconut oil pulling on functional constipation among nursing students aged 17–19 years: a quasi-experimental study. Nurs Health Res J. 2025;12(1):45–52. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Huang L, Guo M, Huang J, Wu H. Prevalence and risk factors of functional constipation among Chinese college students. J Int Med Res. 2019;47(8):3915–3923. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Misra S, Sharma A, Gupta P, et al. Low socioeconomic class as a risk factor for upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms: a population-based study. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2016;41(6):657–666. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Fleischer J, Hussain S, Rahman A. Association between dormitory living and functional gastrointestinal disorders among university students. Bangladesh Med J. 2018;47(4):205–212. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Ng K, Fong D, Pang J, Ching JY, Wong CK, Chan FK. Prevalence and risk factors of functional constipation in young adults: a study among Hong Kong university students. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012;27(8):1392–1396. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Slavin JL. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: health implications of dietary fiber. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2013;113(7):983–989. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Ahmed R, Joseph T, Meera S. Assessment of hydration, physical activity, and oil pulling practices among college students: implications for digestive health. J Public Health Lifestyle Med. 2023;18(2):95–102. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Measuring Waste of Patient Time in Health Care at Non-Digitized Hospital: An Observational Study in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh
• Reaffirming Clinical Confidence in Atorvastatin Therapy: A Digital Outreach Case Study from Tamil Nadu, India
• Clinical Manifestations and Therapeutic Response in a Patient with Hypothyroidism: A Case Report
• Eranda (Ricinus Communis) In Gridhrasi (Sciatica): Classical Rationale, Pharmacology and Clinical Evidence- A Narrative Literature Review
• Magnetotherapy in Pain Management: Mechanisms, Clinical Applications, and Future Perspectives – A Review