Effects of pelvic floor muscle exercise on faecal incontinence in rectal cancer patients after stoma closure

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) on the faecal incontinence (FI) of rectal cancer patients following stoma closure. Participants were randomly distributed into an exercise group (n = 27) and non-exercise group (n = 26). An experimental design and longitudinal approach were implemented for data collection. Baseline data were collected at 1 day before discharge, and then PFME was taught before the patients were discharged from the hospital. We collected data and followed up with the patients at their pre-discharge visit and at 1, 2, 3, 6 and 9 months after discharge. The Cleveland Clinic Faecal Incontinence (CCI) score was used to measure patient outcome. PFME proved to effectively decrease the degree of FI in stoma closure recipients. The FI score of the exercise group significantly decreased from 8.37 to 2.27 after PFME compared with that of the non-exercise group (from 8.54 to 2.58). The generalised estimation equation tests showed that both group and time were significantly different. The tests also indicated that although PFME appeared to hasten the decline of incontinence, this effect was no longer detectable at 9 months; thus, it may be an effective intervention for FI when implemented up to half a year after discharge.

Randomised controlled trial to assess efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training on bowel symptoms after low anterior resection for rectal cancer: study protocol

“… 24 35–39 There is only one randomised controlled trial (RCT) on a large sample size. 40 Lin et al showed a short-term effect of PFMT on faecal incontinence after LAR. Unfortunately, this study exclusively focused on faecal incontinence, while LARS includes several other bowel symptoms than incontinence, such as incontinence for flatus, frequency of bowel movements, urgency and clustering.…”

A novel power supply system for puborectalis‐like artificial anal sphincter

“…For the purpose of curing FI, main therapies are anal sphincter repair , reconstruction of anal sphincter , colostomy , and sacral nerve stimulation . However, none of these therapies is suitable for all FI situations.…”

“…However, none of these therapies is suitable for all FI situations. Meanwhile, the rate of complication after these therapies can reach to 21%~71% [7][8][9][10][11] . As the result of that, AAS is launched to create another therapy for FI.…”

Oncology Section EDGE Task Force on Urogenital Cancer: A Systematic Review of Clinical Measures for Incontinence

“…Research has indicated that individuals with urogenital and colorectal cancers are more likely to experience urinary and/or fecal incontinence as a result of their cancer or of the treatment for their disease. 1,2,3 Dysfunction in any of these areas can have significant impact on quality of life including higher levels of depression and anxiety, diminished enjoyment of sexual activity, as well as a significant economic burden in terms of supplies for symptom management. 4,5,6 Assessment of the presence and severity of urinary and fecal incontinence is important for medical professionals to be able to thoroughly gauge disease impact.…”

“…10 In a study of individuals with colorectal cancer who underwent resection surgery, over 40% reported liquid stool incontinence and 10% reported solid stool incontinence. 2 The American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) Evaluation Database to Guide Effectiveness (EDGE) Task Force was created to generate a list of quality outcome measures that are specific to different patient populations with the goal of increasing the implementation of evidence-based practice across the profession. The Oncology Section's EDGE Task Force has reviewed the literature on breast cancer outcomes including scapular and glenohumeral impairments, pain, lymphedema, and fatigue, and they have more recently expanded the evaluation of outcome measures to other types of cancer including urogenital and colorectal cancers.…”