Biofeedback Treatment of Fecal Incontinence in Geriatric Patients

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Abstract
Eighteen fecally incontinent geriatric patients were first treated for constipation as a possible cause of incontinence; the 13 who remained incontinent were provided sphincter biofeedback training. Half the patients were instructed to perform 50 sphincter exercises per day for a 4-wk period prior to the start of biofeedback training to determine whether such exercises would improve bowel control in the absence of biofeedback training. Sphincter exercises alone did not produce clinical improvements and did not significantly increase the strength of sphincter contractions. Biofeedback training did significantly augment sphincter strength and was associated with greater than 75% decreases in incontinence for 10 (77%) of the patients. Improvements were maintained in 60% at 6 mo. and in 42% at 1 yr. Biofeedback training appears to be of specific value in the treatment of fecal incontinence in geriatic patients.

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