Effectiveness of treatment using fecal incontinence biofeedback isolated or associated with electrical stimulation

• Published in: Journal of Coloproctology 2014-10, Vol.34 (4), p.240-244
• Main Authors: Melão, Suelen, dos Reis Lima, Doryane Maria, Ratin, Raphael Ferreira, Kurachi, Gustavo, Rizzardi, Kelli, Schuster, Marcieli, Sagae, Univaldo Etsuo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anismus; Biofeedback; Fecal incontinence; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Incontinência Fecal
• ISSN: 2237-9363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcol.2014.08.010

Abstract Introduction The prevalence of fecal incontinence (FI) has increased in recent decades, due to an aging population; and result in negative impacts on quality of life. Therefore, it is essential to search for an effective treatment in order to minimize the morbidity caused by incontinence. Objective To evaluate the effect of perineal training in the treatment of patients with fecal incontinence by biofeedback. Method This is a prospective study which evaluated 85 patients with FI from January 2009 to January 2014, at the Coloproctology outpatient clinic of the Hospital São Lucas/Cascavel, Paraná. Results Mean age was 47 years and the duration of treatment ranged from 5 to 25 sessions (mean, 13 sessions). From the women involved in the study, 70% (50) had vaginal deliveries and 34 (40%) participants were submitted to some orificial surgery. The FI score at baseline was 10.79 (6–17) and post-treatment FI was 2 (0–14) ( p < 0.001). In the population studied, 49.4% (42) of the patients had an associated pre-BFT UI; and only 8.2% (7) had post-BFT UI ( p < 0.001). Conclusions The data presented in this study confirm that perineal training through biofeedback was effective in the treatment of patients with fecal incontinence without immediate indication for surgery, still ensuring for this technique the advantages of being effective, painless and of low cost.