Effects of biofeedback in the treatment of female fecal incontinence

Abstract

Introduction Fecal incontinence is the involuntary loss of stools and gases, characterized by the inability to keep physiological control of bowel contents. It can negatively affect patients’ quality of life. Biofeedback is a therapeutic tool used in the treatment, through the training of the pelvic floor muscles from visual and sound stimuli. Objective To evaluate the effects of biofeedback in the treatment of female fecal incontinence. Methods Twenty-three patients with fecal incontinence, diagnosed by clinical evaluation and manometry, and referred for biofeedback treatment, participated responding to the Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Assessment scale, and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire to obtain personal data, clinical complaints and incontinence characteristics. Four biofeedback sessions were held once a week. After the protocol, they were reevaluated with anorectal manometry and questionnaires, and they were instructed to daily perform the sphincteric contraction exercises at home. Results The comparison of the Cleveland Clinic Florida Scoring System and FIQL scores before and after the biofeedback protocol showed a significant decrease ( p = 0.0001) in fecal incontinence. The mean anal pressure at rest was 33.3 mmHg before and 49.65 mmHg after biofeedback, while the mean anal pressure of maximal voluntary contraction was 85 mmHg before treatment and 136.65 mmHg after it. Conclusion Biofeedback is an effective method for the treatment of fecal incontinence, with increased sphincter strength and improved quality of life.

Main Manometric Findings and Potential for Anorectal Physical Therapy in the Treatment of Patients With Evacuation Disorders

“…Although rectal hyposensitivity is considered a poor predictor of response, aBF in patients with CC and rectal hyposensitivity may promote relaxation of the anorectal muscles, restoration of rectal sensitivity and clinical improvement (20) . Even in patients with FI, aBF can provide training for the pelvic floor musculature, with improvements in RS, promotion of motor coordination and increased quality of life (21)(22)(23)(24) . Rectal balloons may help in the diagnosis and management of CC due to anorectal dysfunction, and RBT, although apparently inferior to aBF, seems to contribute to improving the synergy of the pelvic muscles and decreasing chronic constipation symptoms (25,26) .…”

Esfinteroplastia anal en el tratamiento de la incontinencia fecal por trauma obstétrico

“…Recientemente, una revisión de la Biblioteca Cochrane de 16 ensayos de tratamiento higiénico-dietético en pacientes con incontinencia fecal 8 , la mayoría en el contexto de diarreas, concluyó que la evidencia es pobre para determinar la superioridad de un régimen sobre otros. El biofeedback, mediante la rehabilitación del piso pélvico, también ha demostrado cierta mejoría tanto de la sintomatología como de la calidad de vida 9 .…”

Melhores Práticas De Enfermeiros No Manejo Da Incontinência Fecal Em Contexto Hospitalar: Revisão Integrativa

“…Aproximadamente 63,5% dos participantes da pesquisa obtiveram sucesso no tratamento, tornando-se assintomáticos e apresentando melhora na musculatura esfincteriana 39 . Evidenciou-se, dessa forma, ser uma intervenção eficaz, pois aumenta a força de contração do esfíncter e melhora a qualidade de vida 40 .…”