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Published on: January 10, 2013
Electrical stimulation for faecal incontinence in adults
G Hosker1, J D Cody, C C Norton
1St Mary's Hospital, Warrell Unit, Hathersage Road, Manchester, UK M13 OJH. Gordon.Hosker@CMMC.nhs.uk
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|July 20, 2007
Summary
Electrical stimulation for fecal incontinence shows uncertain benefits. More research is needed to confirm if electrical stimulation (ES) is effective for treating fecal incontinence.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
- Neuromodulation
Background:
- Faecal incontinence (FI) is a distressing condition with significant impacts.
- Electrical stimulation (ES) is a potential treatment for FI.
- Current treatment standards and benefit magnitude for ES are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of electrical stimulation (ES) for treating adult faecal incontinence (FI).
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized and quasi-randomized trials.
- Searched Cochrane Incontinence Group Specialised Trials Register and article references.
- Assessed methodological quality and extracted data from four eligible trials involving 260 participants.
Main Results:
- One trial indicated short-term benefits of ES with anal biofeedback over vaginal biofeedback for obstetric-related FI.
- Another trial found no added benefit of ES compared to biofeedback alone.
- While symptom improvement was reported, causality attributed to ES remains unclear.
Conclusions:
- Insufficient data currently exist to reliably conclude the efficacy of ES for faecal incontinence (FI).
- A potential therapeutic effect of ES is suggested but not confirmed.
- Larger, generalizable trials are required to establish definitive conclusions.
