Biofeedback training can be useful for people with a type of chronic constipation characterized by excessive straining, anal contraction, and impaired propulsion of stool from the rectum. Laxative treatment long-term fails.About a third of people with chronic constipation seen in specialized centers have this type of constipation. They conducted a study to see if the condition could be relieved by biofeedback focusing on anal muscle relaxation and coordination and simulated defecation training.
They randomized 77 subjects to about six hours in one hour-therapy sessions. At three months, results were much better in the active biofeedback group than the other two groups. The number of complete spontaneous bowel movements showed a significantly greater increase in the active biofeedback group than in the sham or standard groups. The movement of waste material through the colon improved significantly after biofeedback or standard therapy. (See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070409/hl_nm/biofeedback_constipation_dc_1)
