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A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial of a Multidisciplinary Intervention for Encopresis in Children with Autism Spectrum

Joanna Lomas Mevers1,2,3, Nathan A Call4,5,6, Kristina R Gerencser4,5,6

  • 1Division of Autism & Related Disabilities, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA. Joanna.lomasmevers@choa.org.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|November 27, 2019
PubMed

Insights

A new multidisciplinary intervention for encopresis (MIE) shows promise for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Six of ten children achieved bowel continence, demonstrating the intervention

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Behavioral Health

Background:

  • Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience delayed bowel continence.
  • Encopresis, or fecal incontinence, in children with ASD can lead to significant negative outcomes.
  • There is a need for effective interventions to improve bowel continence in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a multidisciplinary intervention for encopresis (MIE) in children with ASD.
  • To assess caregiver acceptability and engagement with the MIE program.

Main Methods:

  • A pilot randomized controlled trial involving 20 children with ASD and encopresis.
  • Participants were assigned to either the MIE group (n=10) or a waitlist control group (n=10).
  • The MIE involved constipation treatment, a 10-day behavioral intervention with suppositories, and caregiver training.

Main Results:

  • The study demonstrated high feasibility, with excellent enrolment, completion rates, attendance, and caregiver acceptability.
  • Preliminary outcomes showed that 6 out of 10 children in the MIE group achieved bowel continence.
  • In contrast, 0 out of 10 children in the control group achieved continence (p=0.005).

Conclusions:

  • The multidisciplinary intervention for encopresis (MIE) is a feasible and potentially effective treatment for children with ASD.
  • The intervention shows promising preliminary results in improving bowel continence.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in larger trials.

Keywords:
EncopresisMultidisciplinary treatmentPediatric gastroenterology

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