Biofeedback Therapy in Children with Functional Constipation in Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: Functional constipation is a common disorder in pediatrics and affects about 30 percent of children, causing several physical and emotional complications and having a considerable impact on health expenses and quality of life. Biofeedback is a behavioral therapy that gives the patient information about the activity of pelvic floor muscles and teaches the patients how to properly contract and relax the sphincter. Biofeedback therapy is the most effective in those with constipation due to pelvic floor dyssynergia, which is the abnormal function of sphincter muscles and affects 40% of children with constipation. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of biofeedback therapy in children with chronic functional constipation unresponsive to medical and conventional treatments. Methods: Forty-four children with functional constipation (according to ROME 4 criteria) unresponsive to at least six months of taking medical treatment and pelvic floor dyssynergia according to anorectal manometry were selected for biofeedback therapy. After six months, symptoms of patients and the need for laxative consumption were compared to those before therapy. Results: Considering ROME 4 criteria, clinical improvement was achieved in 59.1% of patients. Comparison of symptoms shows improvement in 52 - 89 % of cases. Conclusions: In pediatric patients with functional constipation and pelvic floor dyssynergia who do not respond to conventional treatments, biofeedback therapy could be an alternative therapy, and its effects last for at least six months.