Effect of Biofeedback Combined with Psychotherapy on Functional Constipation Complicated with Anxiety and Depression

Biofeedback combined with psychotherapy has been recognized as a potential treatment for patients with functional constipation, anxiety and depression disorder. To validate the therapeutic effect of the biofeedback therapy, 120 patients with a clear diagnosis of functional constipation combined with anxiety and depression disorder were recruited, and then randomly divided into the control group (patients received gastrointestinal medication and anti-anxiety and depression medication) and the treatment group (patients received combined biofeedback and psychotherapy on the basis of the control group's treatment program). The treatment group was treated with biofeedback exercise twice a day for 7 days, supplemented with psychotherapy for a period of 2 months (half-month intervals for one time). Intestinal medications in the treatment group were stopped after one month of treatment. While for the control group, patients were maintained with gastrointestinal motivational drugs, probiotics, anti-anxiety and depression medications. Both groups reduced the dosage of anxiolytics and depressants after 3 months. The control and the treatment group were both effective and the latter had a more significant effect compared to the former. Moreover, the anxiety/depression symptom for patients in the treatment group was significantly milder than those in the control group. Notably, compared with pre-treatment symptoms, the treatment group showed a significant reduction in Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scores in the sixth month (F = 0.008, P = 0.008). In summary, biofeedback combined with psychotherapy may improve relieve constipation patients' clinical symptoms, anxiety/depression state and sleep quality. The treatment is durable, safe, and easy to implement, so it is suitable for widely used.