Supplementary home biofeedback improves quality of life in younger patients with fecal incontinence

Bartlett, Lynne, Sloots, Kathryn, Nowak, Madeleine, and Ho, Yik-hong (2015) Supplementary home biofeedback improves quality of life in younger patients with fecal incontinence. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 49 (5). pp. 419-428.

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Abstract

Background: Biofeedback is a scarce, resource-intensive clinical therapy. It is used to treat patients with bowel problems, including fecal incontinence (FI), who fail to respond to simple dietary advice, medication, or pelvic floor exercises. Populations are aging and younger cohorts use technology in managing their health, affording FI self-management opportunities.

Aim: Does supplementary home-based biofeedback improve FI and quality of life (QOL)?

Methods: Seventy-five incontinent participants (12 male), mean age 61.1 years, consented to participate. Thirty-nine patients (5 male) were randomized to the standard biofeedback protocol plus daily home use of a Peritron perineometer (intervention) and 36 patients (7 male) to the standard biofeedback protocol (control). On completion of the study each perineometer exercise session was rated for technique by 2 raters, blinded to the patient and order of sessions.

Results: With the exception of Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale lifestyle improvement (intervention—9.1% vs. controls—0.3%, P=0.026) and embarrassment improvement (intervention—50.0% vs. controls—18.3%, P=0.026), supplementary home biofeedback did not result in greater clinical improvement for the intervention group as a whole. However, on stratification around the mean age, continence and QOL of younger people in the intervention group were significantly better than those of their control counterparts. Graphed perineometer sessions demonstrated high compliance and improvement in exercise technique. Perineometers provided reassurance, motivation, and an exercise reminder ensuring that confidence was achieved quickly.

Conclusions: Home biofeedback was acceptable and well tolerated by all users. Younger participants significantly benefited from using this technology.

Item ID: 37679
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1539-2031
Date Deposited: 08 Jul 2015 00:20
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111717 Primary Health Care @ 100%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920408 Health Status (e.g. Indicators of Well-Being) @ 34%
92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920201 Allied Health Therapies (excl. Mental Health Services) @ 33%
92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920105 Digestive System Disorders @ 33%
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