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Clinical Trial
. 1996 Oct;21(5):659-70.
doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/21.5.659.

Additive benefits of laxative, toilet training, and biofeedback therapies in the treatment of pediatric encopresis

D J Cox  1 , J Sutphen, W Ling, W Quillian, S Borowitz
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Additive benefits of laxative, toilet training, and biofeedback therapies in the treatment of pediatric encopresis

D J Cox et al. J Pediatr Psychol. 1996 Oct.

Abstract

Compared the additive benefits of laxative, behavior, and biofeedback treatments for encopresis, while attempting to identify treatment mechanisms and predictors of treatment outcome. 44 encopretic children, ages 6-15 years, were randomly assigned to either laxative therapy (LAX), LAX plus enhanced toilet training (ETT), or LAX + ETT + anal sphincter biofeedback (BF). Daily symptom diaries were completed 14 days before, upon initiation of and 3 months following treatment initiation. ETT and BF were superior to LAX in reducing encopresis. Outcome was significantly predicted by improvement during the initial 14 days of treatment. Reduction of soiling was associated with an increase in bowel movement frequency, and reductions in defecation pain and parental prompting to use the toilet. Because of its efficacy and minimal reliance on technology, ETT should be the initial treatment of choice.

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