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A Practical Guide to Biofeedback Therapy for Pelvic Floor Disorders

  • Large Intestine (B Cash and R Chokshi, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Gastroenterology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Biofeedback therapy (BFT) is effective for managing pelvic floor disorders (i.e., defecatory disorders and fecal incontinence). However, even in controlled clinical trials, only approximately 60% of patients with defecatory disorders experienced long-term improvement. The review serves to update practitioners on recent advances and to identify practical obstacles to providing biofeedback therapy.

Recent Findings

The efficacy and safety of biofeedback therapy have been evaluated in defecatory disorders, fecal incontinence, and levator ani syndrome. Recent studies looked at outcomes in specific patient sub-populations and predictors of a response to biofeedback therapy.

Summary

Biofeedback therapy is effective for managing defecatory disorders, fecal incontinence, and levator ani syndrome. Patients who have a lower bowel satisfaction score and use digital maneuvers fare better. Biofeedback therapy is recommended for patients with fecal incontinence who do not respond to conservative management. A subset of patients with levator ani syndrome who have dyssynergic defecation are more likely to respond to biofeedback therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Enteric Neuroscience Translational and Epidemiological Research Program, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Susrutha Puthanmadhom Narayanan & Adil E. Bharucha

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  1. Susrutha Puthanmadhom Narayanan
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  2. Adil E. Bharucha
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Correspondence to Adil E. Bharucha.

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Conflict of Interest

Adil Bharucha reports personal fees from Allergan, outside the submitted work. In addition, Dr. Bharucha has a patent (Portable anorectal manometry device) with royalties paid to Medspira, a patent (Anorectal manometry probe fixation device) licensed to Medtronic, and a patent (Anal plug) licensed to Minnesota Medical Technologies.

Susrutha Puthanmadhom Narayanan declares no conflict of interest.

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Narayanan, S.P., Bharucha, A.E. A Practical Guide to Biofeedback Therapy for Pelvic Floor Disorders. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 21, 21 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-019-0688-3

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