Intervention effect of biofeedback combined with pelvic floor muscle exercise on low anterior resection syndrome in patients with low anus-preserving rectal cancer

Abstract

Objective: To explore the effect of biofeedback training combined with pelvic floor muscle exercise on the recovery of anorectal function in patients with middle and low rectal cancer undergoing sphincter-preserving surgery, and to find the best way to prevent low anterior resection syndrome. Methods: A single-center prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. One hundred and nine patients with mid-low rectal cancer in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Centre from June 2015 to December 2016 were enrolled in the study, who were going to undergo sphincter-preserving surgery or preventive ostomy after preoperative chemoradiotherapy. They were divided into three groups: blank control group, pelvic floor muscle exercise group and biofeedback training combined with pelvic floor muscle exercise group. Intervention and follow-up were conducted for 16 months. High-resolution anorectal manometry was used to measure the objective anorectal pressure and sensory index of patients, and the Chinese version of MSKCC Intestinal Function Questionnaire was used to evaluate the intestinal function of patients. The differences of objective anorectal manometry index and subjective intestinal function between the three groups were compared, and the occurrence of low anterior rectal resection syndrome was evaluated. Results: At the end of the intervention, the total scores of anal resting pressure, rectal resting pressure, anal maximum systolic pressure, anal maximum systolic time, initial rectal volume, rectal fecal sensory capacity, rectal maximum tolerance capacity, rectal compliance, anorectal hypertensive zone and total score of intestinal function in the biofeedback training combined with pelvic floor muscle exercise group were (44.83±9.01) mmHg, (4.31±1.75) mmHg, (130.46±10.00) mmHg, (19.94±4.30) s, (32.71±5.00) ml, (74.26±8.30) ml, (188.4±12.68) ml, (5.69±1.18) ml/kPa, (3.31±0.96) cm and (68.09±6.38) points respectively. The main effects of the changes of five indices, including anal resting pressure, rectal resting pressure, anal maximum systolic pressure, anal maximum systolic time and anal high pressure zone, were time. Significant differences were found in initial rectal capacity, sensory capacity of rectal defecation, maximum tolerance capacity of rectum, rectal compliance and total score of intestinal function in every time point of measurement in the biofeedback training group combined with pelvic floor muscle exercise group. They were significantly higher than those in the blank control group (P<0.05); the score of the biofeedback training group combined with pelvic floor muscle exercise group at one month after operation, perioperative period and 3 months after operation were significantly higher than those in pelvic floor muscle exercise group (P<0.05). Biofeedback training combined with pelvic floor muscle exercise reduced the incidence of low anterior resection syndrome of rectum (P<0.05). Conclusion: Biofeedback training combined with pelvic floor muscle exercise can significantly improve the sensory indicators of patients with mid-low rectal cancer, promote the recovery of intestinal function, and alleviate low anterior resection syndrome of rectal cancer patients, which is worthy of popularization and application.