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

Abstract

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