The effect of biofeedback training on intestinal function among patients with middle and low rectal cancer: a randomized controlled study

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the effect of biofeedback on intestinal function among patients with middle and low rectal cancer. Methods: Using a randomized controlled trial design, 109 patients with middle and low rectal cancer indicated to have preoperative radiochemotherapy, anterior resection of the rectum, and preventive stoma were randomly divided into three groups: the blank control group, the pelvic floor muscle exercise group, and the biofeedback training group. A 16-month intervention and longitudinal follow-up study was conducted, and a questionnaire on intestinal function by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) was adopted into a Chinese version to evaluate patients’ intestinal function situation. Results: The intestinal function of the biofeedback training group was better than the blank control group and pelvic floor muscle exercise group. The total score of intestinal function and the scores of each dimension were statistically significant (P Conclusions: Biofeedback training could significantly improve the intestinal function of patients with middle and low rectal cancer, promote its recovery, and is thus worthy of clinical application.