April 25, 2007 – Biofeedback techniques are said to be more effective than conventional treatments in treating certain forms of chronic constipation. This seems to be the case for people who suffer from pelvic dyssynergy.1, or anism. 25% to 50% of patients with chronic constipation have it.
Researchers from the University of Iowa (United States)2 conducted a study of 79 adults with anism. The trial compared the effects of biofeedback with those of conventional interventions (laxatives, specific physical exercises, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and dietary counseling). The biofeedback technique was effective in almost 80% of cases, while conventional interventions were only effective for about 8% of patients. Only 4% of participants were relieved by the placebo intervention.
Biofeedback is an application of psychophysiology, a discipline that studies the links between brain activity and physiological functions. The objective of biofeedback techniques, in cases of anism, is to give patients back control of the movements of their anal sphincter.
Several studies have already concluded that biofeedback can be effective in treating anism in adults. This technique, combined with conventional treatments, has also had beneficial effects in children who suffered from constipation. Accessibility to biofeedback poses some problems, however, the cost being relatively high and staff adequately trained to administer it being rare.3.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to Reuters Health.
1. Pelvic dyssynergy is characterized by a paradoxical contraction or inability to open the anal sphincter during efforts to defecate. The specialists then say that the patient has a “disobedient sphincter”.
2. Rao SS, Seaton K, et al. Randomized controlled trial of biofeedback, sham feedback, and standard therapy for dyssynergic defecation. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007 Mar; 5 (3): 331-8.
3. Chiarioni G, Heymen S, Whitehead WE. Biofeedback therapy for dyssynergic defecation. World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Nov 28; 12 (44): 7069-74. Full text: www.wjgnet.com
