PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF BIOFEEDBACK FOR TREATMENT OF CONSTIPATION

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate respectively the results of pelvic floor physiotherapy with the aid of biofeedback in a heterog eneous group of patients with intractable constipation. METHODS: Biofe edback was used to treat 19 patients (age range, 16-78 (median, 63) ye ars) with intractable constipation. Assessment, using visual linear an alog scales of symptoms, was performed prospectively by an independent researcher. Biofeedback was performed by a physiotherapist, and patie nts were required to attend six sessions on an outpatient basis. The c ause of constipation was heterogeneous, with no specific disorder bein g implicated on testing with anal manometry, defecating proctography, and colonic transit time. RESULTS: At six weeks, there was a median 27 percent (range, -8-93 percent) improvement in symptom scores. At six months, there was a median 23 percent (range, -54-64 percent) improvem ent in symptom scores. These were statistically significant compared w ith the scores at outset, six weeks (P = 0.0006), and six months (P = 0.012). However, only two (12.5 percent) patients at the six-month fol low-up had an improvement of greater than 50 percent in their symptoms . CONCLUSION: Biofeedback is not recommended in the management of cons tipation.