Table 2 Summary of randomized controlled trials of probiotics for the management of chronic constipation
References | Population | Intervention | Comparator | Author’s conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tabbers et al. (2011) | n = 159 (control n = 80, intervention n = 79) | B. lactis DN-173 010 | Acidified milk without probiotics | Increased stool frequency, but not statistically significant compared with control group |
Coccorullo et al. (2010) | n = 44 (control n = 22, intervention n = 22) | L. reuteri DSM 17938 | Identical placebo | Increased bowel frequency |
Favretto et al. (2013) | n = 30 (control n = 15, intervention n = 15) | B. lactis Bi-07 | Fresh cheese without probiotics | Beneficial effects |
Yang et al. (2008) | n = 126 (control n = 63, intervention n = 63) | B. lactis DN-173010 | Acidified milk without probiotics | Beneficial effects on stool frequency, defecation condition and stool consistency |
Ishizuka et al. (2012) | n = 17 (cross-over design) | B. lactis GCL2505 | Milk-like drink | Beneficial effects |
Waller et al. (2011) | n = 100 (control n = 34, Intervention: high dose n = 33 low dose n = 33) | B. lactis HN019 | Capsules with rice maltodextrin | Decreased whole gut transit time in a dose-dependent manner |
Mazlyn et al. (2013) | n = 90 (control n = 43, intervention n = 47) | L. casei Shirota | Fermented milk without probiotics | Improvement in constipation severity |
Riezzo et al. (2012) | n = 20 (cross-over design) | L. paracasei IMPC 2.1 | Artichokes without probiotics | Beneficial effects |
Koebnick et al. (2003) | n = 70 (control n = 35, intervention n = 35) | L. casei shirota | Beverage without probiotics | Beneficial effects on self-reported severity of constipation and stool consistency |