[The effects of biofeedback training on clinical symptoms, psychological status and quality of life in patients with functional constipation]

Abstract

Objective: To explore the effects of biofeedback training on clinical symptom, psychological state and quality of life in patients with functional constipation (FC).

Methods: Forty-nine patients with FC diagnosed by Rome III were enrolled and received biofeedback training. Bowel symptom measure, Zung's self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS) and Chinese version of the MOS 36-item short form healthy survey (SF-36) were recorded to assess the effects before and after treatment.

Results: After biofeedback training, clinical symptom of patients with FC was greatly improved: there was a very significant decrease in total and subscales scores of bowel symptom including spontaneous frequency of bowel movements, straining effort, sensation of anorectal obstruction/blockage, stool consistency and bloating. Patients with FC also improved their quality of life as well as psychological status after biofeedback. All subcategories of SF-36 including general health, physical function, bodily pain, role physical, vitality, social function, role emotion and mental health showed marked increase. Compared to the scores before biofeedback training, SAS (41.0±8.1 vs 46.5±11.9) and SDS (44.0±8.2 vs 51.2±11.5) scores decreased significantly after biofeedback training.

Conclusion: Biofeedback training can improve clinical symptom, psychological status and quality of life in patients with FC.