Fecal incontinence responses to anal electrical stimulation

Fecal incontinence is a common problem and is defined as the intermittent automatic excretion of flatus, liquid or solid stool in unseemly places or at improper occasions that is a hygienic or social problem. Physical therapy management is considered as the first-line treatment because it is a non-invasive nature and simple method to use. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of anal electrical stimulation in a randomized, clinical trial for the treatment of patients with fecal incontinence. 66 patients were included in the study, out of a total of 74 patients who were screened for eligibility. The patients were randomized to group (1) received electrical stimulation and pelvic floor muscle training, while group (2) received pelvic floor muscle training only. The outcome measures were the Vaizey incontinence score and fecal incontinence quality of life scale. The current study showed that there were significant differences between pre and post intervention in group (1) (P<0.05) in terms Vaizey incontinence score and QOL questionnaires while, group (2) revealed that there were an improvement but not statistically significantly (P>0.05). Comparing the two groups, there was statistically significant difference between patients in both groups in favor of group (1) (P<0.05) in terms of Vaizey incontinence and FIQOL (P>0.05). The study revealed that 4 weeks of anal electrical stimulation improves patients with fecal incontinence. Anal electrical stimulation is considered as a non-invasive, cheap and simple to use and could be offered to treat fecal incontinence.