Effect of Electrical Stimulation and Biofeedback Therapy for Constipated Patients with Impaired Rectal Sensation

PURPOSE: Biofeedback therapy is widely used for the management of constipation associated with pelvic outlet obstruction. Some patients have shown poor outcome after biofeedback alone. A subgroup of patients complains of absence of desire to defecate. The main pathophysiology of constipation may be impaired rectal sensation or compliance. This study evaluated the effect of electrical stimulation and biofeedback therapy (EST-BF) for this subgroup of constipated patients with impaired rectal sensation. METHODS: Of the 37 patients diagnosed with pelvic outlet obstruction by using cinedefecography, 9 patients (M:F=2:7, age=22~77 years, median=57 years) who had impaired rectal sensation (rectal desire threshold > or =100 ml) on anorectal manometry were selected. These patients were treated with EST-BF therapy 2~6 (median: 5) sessions, Kontinece, Multichannel system, HMT, Inc, Seoul, Korea). Treatment consisted of 20 minutes of variant-mode electrical stimulation and 20 minutes of EMG biofeedback therapy per week administered by a specialized colorectal surgeon. All patients were evaluated by using a standardized questionnaire and a threshold for rectal sensation based on balloon distention before and after treatment. RESULTS: At post EST-BF, six (67%) patients had experienced an improvement in symptoms, including five (56%) patients with complete symptom relief. Significant improvement in rectal sensation, especially the rectal defecation desire threshold (pre-EST-BF vs. post- EST-BF: 181.0+/-38.7 vs. 88.3+/-29.1) was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: EST- BF may be an effective option for use in the treatment of functional constipation with impaired rectal sensation.

Electrical Stimulation Effect in Constipated Patients with Impaired Rectal Sensation / 대한소화관운동학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Among constipated patients, there is a subgroup of patients who complain about an absent or diminished sense of desire to defecate, suggesting that one of the causes of functional constipation may be impaired rectal sensation. Recently, electrical stimulation therapy (EST) has been used for the treatment of patients with urinary/fecal incontinence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of EST for a subgroup of constipated patients with impaired rectal sensation. METHODS: Of the 130 patients with functional constipation as defined by Rome II criteria, 22 patients who had impaired rectal sensation (rectal desire threshold volume = 90 ml) were selected. Twelve patients were treated with EST and 10 patients with biofeedback therapy (BFT). RESULTS: The overall symptoms of the patients significantly improved after therapy in both groups (p<0.05). Interestingly, the sense of desire to defecate improved only after EST (p<0.05). Moreover, there was significant improvement in anal residual pressure after BFT solely (p<0.05). On the other hand, rectal sensory threshold volumes improved significantly after EST exclusively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study has revealed that the efficacy of EST can be comparable to BFT in a subgroup of constipated patients, especially with impaired rectal sensation. EST could be considered an adjunctive therapeutic modality for the management of functional constipation with impaired rectal sensation.

Electrical Stimulation Effect in Constipated Patients with Impaired Rectal Sensation / 대한소화관운동학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Among constipated patients, there is a subgroup of patients who complain about an absent or diminished sense of desire to defecate, suggesting that one of the causes of functional constipation may be impaired rectal sensation. Recently, electrical stimulation therapy (EST) has been used for the treatment of patients with urinary/fecal incontinence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of EST for a subgroup of constipated patients with impaired rectal sensation. METHODS: Of the 130 patients with functional constipation as defined by Rome II criteria, 22 patients who had impaired rectal sensation (rectal desire threshold volume = 90 ml) were selected. Twelve patients were treated with EST and 10 patients with biofeedback therapy (BFT). RESULTS: The overall symptoms of the patients significantly improved after therapy in both groups (p<0.05). Interestingly, the sense of desire to defecate improved only after EST (p<0.05). Moreover, there was significant improvement in anal residual pressure after BFT solely (p<0.05). On the other hand, rectal sensory threshold volumes improved significantly after EST exclusively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study has revealed that the efficacy of EST can be comparable to BFT in a subgroup of constipated patients, especially with impaired rectal sensation. EST could be considered an adjunctive therapeutic modality for the management of functional constipation with impaired rectal sensation.