One-year follow-up study on the effects of electrogalvanic stimulation in chronic idiopathic constipation with pelvic floor dyssynergia.
BACKGROUND
Constipation is a commonly reported symptom, and pelvic floor dyssynergia is frequently documented in constipated patients. The standard therapeutic approach for pelvic floor dyssynergia is biofeedback training, but long-term studies show that a significant percentage of patients remain symptomatic. Alternative or adjunctive therapeutic options are needed.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of electrogalvanic stimulation in patients with pelvic floor dyssynergia and severe constipation, to see whether this treatment may be of some benefit.


METHODS
Thirty consecutive constipated patients with clinical and instrumental evidence of pelvic floor dyssynergia entered the study and were treated with a standard high-frequency galvanic electrostimulation protocol. Clinical and instrumental (colon transit time, anorectal manometry, defecography, rectal balloon expulsion) assessment evaluations were performed basally and one year after the treatment.


RESULTS
Overall, approximately 50 percent of patients showed significant improvement after electrogalvanic treatment, from both a clinical and an instrumental point of view, as shown by the objective measurements obtained through manometry, defecography, and the balloon expulsion test. The benefit was limited to normal transit constipation patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the relatively simple, painless and effective nature of electrogalvanic stimulation, we concluded that it may represent a useful adjunct to the therapeutic armamentarium for pelvic floor dyssynergia in normal transit constipation.
Chiarioni
Giuseppe
G
Gastrointestinal Rehabilitation Division, Valeggio sul Mincio Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. chiarioni@tin.it
Chistolini
Fabio
F
Menegotti
Monica
M
Salandini
Lara
L
Vantini
Italo
I
Morelli
Antonio
A
Bassotti
Gabrio
G
D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000503:physiopathology; D001259:Ataxia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D059408:Pain Management; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012007:Rectum / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002400:Cathartics