A randomized controlled trial was carried out with the purpose to determine the effectiveness of EMG-biofeedback in the treatment
of chronically constipated elderly patients with dyssynergic defecation as compared to a control condition characterized by
information about the bowel functioning and counseling focused on the behavioural mechanisms involved in the defecation. With
this purpose, after an initial assessment period (4 weeks), 30 chronically constipated elderly patients with dyssynergic defecation
(11 males, 19 females) were randomly assigned to either EMG-biofeedback group (
n = 15) or control group (
n = 15). The results shown significant improvements in psychophysiological measures (EMG-activity during straining to defecate
and anismus index), as well as in clinical variables (frequency of defecations per week, sensation of incomplete evacuation,
difficulty evacuation level and perianal pain at defecation) only in the EMG-biofeedback group. The clinical benefits of this
behavioural treatment were maintained at the follow-up period 2 months later.
Keywords Dyssynergic defecation - Chronic constipation - Functional defecation disorders - EMG-biofeedback treatment