ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the clinical value and effect of biofeedback training therapy for functional constipation in elderly patients.Methods A total of 78 elderly patients with functional constipation were treated at the People's Hospital of Pudong New Area,and were divided randomly into two groups.The control group (n =39) received routine treatment plus oral polyethylene glycol,while the experimental group (n=39) received biofeedback training treatment in addition to what was offered to the control group.After treatment,constipation symptom scores,anorectal dynamic parameters and clinical effects were compared between the two groups.Results The scores on excrement characteristics,defecation difficulty,and time and frequency of defecation were better in the experimental group than those in the control group (t=5.670,4.740,4.170,5.530;P=0.016,0.034,0.039,0.022,respectively).The overall effectiveness rate was 94.9 ％ (37/39) in the experimental group,which was higher than that (71.8 ％,2 8/3 9) in the control group (x2 =4.493,P=0.030).Meanwhile,the levels of 3 SC and 10 SC in the two groups were higher than those before treatment,but the level of 10SR was lower than that before treatment (all P＜0.05).Moreover,improvement in 3SC,10SC and 10SR were more significant in the experiment group than in the control group (all P＜ 0.05).Conclusions Biofeedback training therapy is safe and effective for elderly patients with constipation to relieve constipation symptoms,enhance control of defecation and promote defecation.