title: Efficacy of multidisciplinary approach in treatment of constipation: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a multidisciplinary Hong Kong treatment programme for patients with constipation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A joint collaboration among the departments of surgery, physiotherapy, and dietetics in a regional hospital in Hong Kong.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one constipated patients with normal colonic transit and pelvic floor dyssynergia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multidisciplinary treatment including dietary modification, bowel habit adjustment, and physiotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anorectal manometry, fibre intake, subjective improvement, bowel frequency, Bristol score, and straining time and effort.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvement was found in mean fibre intake, straining time and effort, but not in anal manometric results. A total of 78% of patients demonstrated more than 50% improvement in subjective symptoms, whereas 70% of the patients enjoyed objective improvement in pelvic floor dyssynergia documented by electromyography and anal pressure during a push effort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The multidisciplinary rehabilitative programme for constipated patients significantly improved symptoms. Electromyography and anal pressure during a push effort are useful tools for objective assessment of the treatment effect.
authors.affiliation: Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong: Department of Surgery. patrickyylau@yahoo.com
authors.forename: P Y Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: W C S
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: A W C
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: Q S Y
authors.initials: QS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects