Treating encopresis in people with intellectual disabilities: a literaturereview

The purpose of the present paper was to review research studies of faecal s oiling (not linked to anatomical anomalies) in people with intellectual dis abilities. The research studies were identified through: (1) computerized s earches of the PSYCLIT and MEDICAL EXPRESS databases for journal articles p ublished between 1975 and 2000; and (2) a hand search of the reference list s of the articles found through the computerized process. Twenty-one studie s were reviewed: 13 dealt with the treatment of non-retentive faecal soilin g (i.e, soiling occurring in the absence of constipation); and eight were o n retentive faecal soiling (i.e. soiling occurring in the presence of const ipation). Treatment and follow-up data tended to be fairly encouraging, wit h clear performance changes. An analysis of the results, in relation to the treatment conditions and designs of the studies, underlined several proced ural and practical questions. Possible research initiatives to clarify thos e questions are presented.