The effect of biofeedback therapy on dyssynergic constipation in patients with or without Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The Rome II and III diagnostic criteria for dyssynergic defecation recommended the exclusion of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study determined the effect of biofeedback therapy on dyssynergic constipation in patients with or without Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This study was a non-randomized, single blinded, semi experimental study. Dyssynergic defecation patients with and without IBS were asked to undergo biofeedback therapy 8 sessions. The defecation dynamics and balloon expulsion time were evaluated before, at the end and one month after the biofeedback therapy. IBS symptoms were graded using a 4-point Likert scale. Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon test and Friedman test were applied to analyse data by SPSS software package. After the biofeedback therapy, the IBS symptoms have been decreased significantly (the median of 2 before and 1 after therapy, P<0.01). The biofeedback therapy significantly decreased the anismus index in IBS group by the mean of 0.75±0.31, 0.28±0.07and 0.28±0.06 in three phases, respectively. Similar results were found in non-IBS patients (the mean of 0.74±0.32, 0.28±0.08, 0.27±0.08 in three phases, respectively). The symptoms of constipation (sensation of incomplete evacuation, difficult and painful defecation), defecation facilitative manual maneuver frequency, pelvic floor muscles resting amplitude and strain amplitude decreased and squeezing amplitude improved significantly after biofeedback therapy in both groups with and without IBS (P<0.001). There were not significant differences between patients with and without IBS (P>0.05) with respect to outcome. No complication was observed in treatment groups. Dyssynergic constipation patients with and without IBS will likely benefit from biofeedback therapy.