title: Biofeedback is effective therapy for fecal incontinence and constipation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To define the role of biofeedback in fecal incontinence and constipation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case series of patients with fecal incontinence or constipation with pelvic floor dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care center with an anorectal physiology laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with 1 of the following: (1) chronic or acute fecal incontinence, (2) fecal incontinence and neurologic injury, or (3) constipation with pelvic floor dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electromyogram-guided biofeedback retraining of the pelvic floor.
  
  
  METHODS
  Resolution of electromyographic abnormalities and subjective resolution of fecal incontinence or constipation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the patients with fecal incontinence, 92% experienced significant improvement with biofeedback without significant improvement in electromyographic values. Of the patients with constipation and pelvic floor dysfunction 80% experienced improvement with biofeedback without significant change in electromyographic values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biofeedback is effective in selected patients with fecal incontinence and constipation with pelvic floor dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Lehman
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Shelton
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Schrock
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Welton
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology