International Surgery Journal | October 2017 | Vol 4 | Issue 10 Page 3461
International Surgery Journal
Porwal A et al. Int Surg J. 2017 Oct;4(10):3461-3465
http://www.ijsurgery.com pISSN 2349-3305 | eISSN 2349-2902
Original Research Article
Biofeedback pelvic floor exercise therapy for pelvic floor dyssynergia:
an observational study
Ashwin Porwal
1
*, Paresh Gandhi
2
, Deepak Kulkarni
3
INTRODUCTION
Constipation is a common disorder seen in family
practice among the elderly and women. It affects nearly
everyone in the general population at different points in
their lifetime. Currently, constipation has a profound
impact on adult patients’ quality of life and has been
considered a major social and psychological disability.
According to a survey the average population across the
globe suffering from chronic constipation is around 10%.
But as per Indian statistics it is about 14% of the Indians
suffer from chronic constipation, higher than the world
average. According to large scale epidemiological
research by Talley et al, some of these patients can be
managed with conservative treatments such as a high
fiber diet, laxatives, suppositories, or oral polyethylene
glycol, others are not sensitive to these options.
Conservative medical treatment is ineffective in 39% of
ABSTRACT
Background: Pelvic floor dyssynergia (PFD) is one of the commonest subtypes of constipation and treated
conservatively but is often unsatisfactory. Biofeedback Pelvic Floor Exercise Therapy (BFT) has been introduced as
an alternative treatment.
Method: A prospective study was conducted at Healing Hands Clinic, Pune. Total 35 patients diagnosed as having
pelvic floor dyssynergia confirmed by MR defecography (MRD) enrolled in to the study. All patients trained for
pelvic floor muscle exercise. Patient performed exercise 20 minutes per day for 12 weeks. Data have been collected
using a standardized questionnaire (Longo's obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) score, Patient Assessment of
Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) and Bristol stool score and performed anal manomentry test (3-D HDAM)
at every 4 weeks.
Result: Study result demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the mean resting pressure, maximum
squeezing pressure and average of 10 seconds hold (from 69.83±6.40 to 39.87±5.51, 98.67±17.23 to 128.67±26.92,
78.70±15.41 to 109.00±22.23, P = 0.005 at week 12). The mean total ODS decreased significantly (p<0.0005) from
baseline to 22.92±4.03 to 11.46±6.76 at week 12. Also, individuals ODS score items were significantly improved at
week 8 and week 12. Bristol stool score significantly improved from 2.12±1.14 to 4.04±0.96 at 12 weeks (p<0.0005).
Significant improvements were recorded in all four individual score domains (physical discomfort, psychosocial
discomfort, worries and concerns, satisfaction) and total score of PAC-QOL at week 12.
Conclusion: Biofeedback therapy provides improvement in bowel symptoms, anorectal function and reduces use of
aperients in constipated subjects with pelvic floor dyssynergia
Keywords: Anal manomentry, Behavioural therapy, Constipation, PFD, Quality of life, Resting pressure
1
Department of Colorectal Surgery, Healing Hands Clinic, Pune, Maharashtra, India
2
Department of Surgery, Healing Hands Clinic, Pune, Maharashtra, India
3
Department of Proctology and Enterology, Healing Hands Clinic, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Received: 05 August 2017
Accepted: 02 September 2017
*Correspondence:
Dr. Ashwin Porwal,
E-mail: drashwinporwal@healinghandsclinic.co.in
Copyright: © the author(s), publisher and licensee Medip Academy. This is an open-access article distributed under
the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial
use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20174516