Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42343029›Full record

ArticleTechniques in coloproctology2026

Effect of home biofeedback treatment in patients with fecal incontinence: a pilot study.

Gülşah Filiz Karpuz, Şakir Karpuz, Wafi Attaallah

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Techniques in coloproctology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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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.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Gülşah Filiz KarpuzDepartment of General Surgery, Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital, Fevzi Çakmak Mahallesi, Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu Caddesi No:10 Pendik, 34899, Istanbul, Turkey. gulsahfilizkarpuz@gmail.com.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3605-1323
Şakir KarpuzDepartment of General Surgery, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9245-1404
Wafi AttaallahDepartment of General Surgery, Anadolu Health Center, Kocaeli, Turkey.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3179-4144

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFecal incontinence is a common condition that markedly impairs quality of life. Anal biofeedback therapy is recommended as first-line treatment; however, its widespread use is limited by the need for repeated sessions, trained staff, high cost, and patient embarrassment, often resulting in poor adherence. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of self-administered home-based biofeedback therapy and to determine factors associated with treatment success.

methodsThis prospective, single-center study included adult patients presenting with fecal incontinence. Disease severity and quality of life were assessed using the Wexner score, fecal incontinence severity index (FISI), and fecal incontinence quality of life (FIQOL) scale. Baseline evaluations included anal manometry, electromyography, perianal magnetic resonance imaging, or endoanal ultrasonography. All patients underwent a 3-month home-based anal biofeedback program. Primary outcomes were changes in Wexner, FISI, and FIQOL scores after treatment.

resultsBetween September 2019 and January 2021, 24 patients were enrolled. The median Wexner score decreased significantly from 18 (4-20) to 6 (0-16) following therapy (p < 0.001). Similarly, the median FISI score improved from 48 (20-57) to 15 (0-45) (p < 0.001). Anal manometry demonstrated a significant increase in median maximum squeeze pressure from 20 (0-80) mmHg to 60 (17-96) mmHg (p < 0.001). Significant improvements were observed across all four FIQOL domains: lifestyle/coping, self-perception/sexuality, depression/anxiety, and embarrassment. Overall, 86% of patients showed improvement in Wexner scores, ranging from 11% to 100%, and 53% achieved a reduction greater than 50%.

conclusionsSelf-administered home-based biofeedback therapy is an effective and practical treatment for fecal incontinence. Given its simplicity, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness, it represents a valuable alternative to conventional biofeedback therapy.

Indexed as

Biofeedback, PsychologyFecal IncontinenceSelf CareAdultAgedAnal CanalFemaleHumansMaleManometryMiddle AgedPilot ProjectsProspective StudiesQuality of LifeSeverity of Illness IndexTreatment OutcomeBiofeedbackFecal incontinenceQuality of lifeWexner score

Identifiers

PMID42343029
PMCPMC13558386

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Registered trials

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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.