ArticleCureus2020
A Pilot Study Evaluating the Effectiveness of Biofeedback-Based Anal Strengthening Exercises in Treating Radiotherapy-Related Faecal Incontinence.
Article in Cureus, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Purpose Radiotherapy to the pelvis and especially the anal sphincters can result in long-term faecal incontinence. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of biofeedback anal strengthening exercises in radiotherapy-related faecal incontinence. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed on seven patients with radiotherapy-related faecal incontinence. Education and biofeedback based anal strengthening exercises were provided. Baseline and follow-up measurements were performed assessing anal sphincter fatigue time, resting, squeeze, and cough pressure. Continence scores and quality of life measures were assessed. Patients were followed up at five months. Results The radiotherapy target varied between prostate, uterus, and rectum. Four of the seven patients were female. Pescatori (0-10) and St Mark's (0-10) continence scores had a median improvement of 2 (range 0-5) and 1 (range 0-8) respectively. Self-completed patient continence scores (0-10mm) had a median improvement of 2mm (1-6mm). Anal fatigue time measurements (Isotonic Fatigue Time (seconds) and Isometric Fatigue Time (Cycles)) showed a median improvement of three seconds (-4 - 36 seconds) and three seconds (-1 - 6 seconds), respectively. Resting Pressure (mmHg), Squeeze Pressure (mmHg) and Cough Pressure (mmHg) showed median improvement of 10mmHg (-10-21mmHg), 15mmHg (-16 - 100mmHg) and 21mmHg (-3 - 53mmHg), respectively. Patient-defined quality of life (QOL) measures showed a median change of 0.2 (range 0-0.5). Conclusion Patients in this pilot study with radiotherapy-related faecal incontinence had improved anal pressure metrics, continence, and QOL following biofeedback based anal strengthening exercises. These early results suggest a benefit for anal strengthening in patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.