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Biofeedback interventions for gastrointestinal conditions: a systematic review
Ian D Coulter1, Joya T Favreau, Mary L Hardy
1University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry, USA.
Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine
|May 23, 2002
Summary
This review found limited evidence for biofeedback
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Technology
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Biofeedback is a technique that allows individuals to gain voluntary control over involuntary bodily functions.
- It has been explored as a treatment for various gastrointestinal (GI) problems, including constipation, fecal incontinence, and abdominal pain.
- However, the overall efficacy of biofeedback for these conditions remains under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the existing evidence on the effectiveness of biofeedback therapy for gastrointestinal disorders.
- To assess the quality of controlled trials investigating biofeedback for conditions such as constipation, encopresis, and fecal incontinence.
- To determine if current research supports the use of biofeedback as a viable treatment option for GI issues.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, etc.) to identify relevant studies.
- Studies were included if they utilized biofeedback as an intervention for a GI condition and featured a control group.
- Data on study design, quality, sample size, intervention, and outcomes were extracted by two independent reviewers.
Main Results:
- Sixteen controlled trials investigating biofeedback for GI problems were identified.
- Of these, ten studies included a control group without biofeedback.
- Only two of the seven studies with sufficient data favored biofeedback, showing benefits for fecal incontinence in adults and constipation with fecal incontinence in children; other studies yielded nonsignificant results or lacked sufficient data.
Conclusions:
- The current body of evidence is insufficient to conclusively support the efficacy of biofeedback for treating the studied gastrointestinal conditions.
- Further high-quality, controlled research is needed to establish the role of biofeedback in managing these disorders.
- While some positive findings exist, they are not robust enough for widespread clinical recommendation at this time.