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

ABSTRACT

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 (MF=27, 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.