Biofeedback therapy for symptoms of evacuation disorders

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate biofeedback(BF)therapy in patients with evacuation disorders(ED).

Methods: Between January and July 2010, BF therapy was performed to treat patients with ED symptoms. The symptoms evaluated before and after therapy included sensation of residual stool, excess straining on defecation, misuse of washlet toilets, and fear of defecation. B F therapy involved the use of anal manometry to teach patients how to relax pelvic floor muscles during straining, pelvic floor muscle exercise, and correction of the toileting position and misuse of washlet toilets.

Results: Twenty-two patients(11male, mean age: 48.3±18.8 years)participated in this study. BF therapy significantly improved all of the four symptoms evaluated: sensation of residual stool(n＝10 before therapy to n＝O after therapy, P＜0.01); excess straining on defecation(n＝15 to 1, p＜0.001); misuse of washlet toilets(n＝7 to O, p＜0.01); and fear of defecation(n＝13to 1,p＜0.001). lnprovements were also observed in some patients with a low or normal maximum resting pressure after treatment.

Conclusions: BF therapy improved ED symptoms. Since bowel fUnction is associated with lifestyle and bowel habits, it is irnportant to combine BF with behavioral therapies in the treatment of ED.