Biofeedback for constipation
Biofeedback is a tried-and-tested method for treating various health problems, including Faecal incontinence. However, biofeedback is also used successfully to treat the „other side of the coin“ – constipation. Functional or chronic idiopathic constipation is characterised by persistent difficulty in passing stools or infrequent bowel movements that cannot be explained by any known cause and which persist for at least three out of every six months1.
Treatment of constipation using biofeedback
The treatment of constipation using biofeedback is often carried out by EMG training. This involves the use of anal probes connected to a EMG sensor can be connected to assist with pelvic floor exercises.
The effectiveness of biofeedback in treating constipation
Functional constipation can be divided into two main types: slow-transit constipation (an abnormal rate at which faecal matter passes through the bowel) and dyssynergic defecation (difficulty in emptying the bowel). Studies have shown that biofeedback is particularly effective in the treatment of dyssynergic defecation.
Several studies have demonstrated the superiority of biofeedback training over other methods in the treatment of constipation.45 A study found that EMG biofeedback was more effective than a control condition – in which participants were simply given information about digestive activity and advice – in terms of both psychophysiological and clinical variables. The clinical benefits of EMG biofeedback persisted even two months after the training.6
In the biofeedback review published by the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, *Evidence-Based Practice in Biofeedback and Neurofeedback*, the treatment of constipation was classified as „effective“, the second-highest rating category. The authors stated that biofeedback had been shown to be more effective for constipation than current standard treatments such as laxatives and patient education.7.
Biofeedback for:
ADHD
Anxiety disorders
Asthma
Profession
High blood pressure
Depression
Epilepsy
Erectile dysfunction
Incontinence
Competitive sport
Raynaud's disease
PTSD
Rehabilitation
Irritable bowel syndrome
Sleep disorders
Stress & burnout
Stress diagnostics
Pain therapy
Tinnitus
Constipation
Sources:
1 World Gastroenterology Organisation, 2010
2 Bassotti, G., Chistolini, F., Sietchiping-Nzepa, F., De Roberto, G., Morelli, A., & Chiarioni, G. (2004). Biofeedback for pelvic floor dysfunction in constipation. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 328(7436), 393.
3 Woodward, S., Norton, C., & Chiarelli, P. (2014). Biofeedback for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation in adults. The Cochrane Library.
4 Enck, P., Van der Voort, I. R., & Klosterhalfen, S. (2009). Biofeedback therapy in faecal incontinence and constipation. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 21(11), 1133–1141.
5 Palsson, O. S., Heymen, S., & Whitehead, W. E. (2004). Biofeedback treatment for functional anorectal disorders: a comprehensive review of efficacy. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 29(3), 153–174.
6 Simón, M. A., & Bueno, A. M. (2009). Behavioural treatment of dyssynergic defecation in elderly patients with chronic constipation: a randomised controlled trial. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 34(4), 273.
7 G. Tan, F. Shaffer, R. Lyle, & I. Teo (Eds.). Evidence-based practice in biofeedback and neurofeedback (3rd ed.). Wheat Ridge, CO: Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback.